139 Indians Released From Russian Army, Efforts Underway for Remaining Personnel

New Delhi, July 2026 : The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday that 139 Indian nationals have so far been released from the Russian Army, while diplomatic efforts are continuing to secure the release of around two dozen Indians who are still believed to be serving in the Russian armed forces.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government has been consistently pursuing the matter with Russian authorities and remains committed to securing the early release of all remaining Indian nationals.

“We have been following up with the Russian side for the release of the remaining Indian nationals in the Russian army. So far, our efforts have led to the release of 139 Indian nationals; we continue to pursue the release of the remaining two dozen Indian nationals who are reportedly in the Russian army,” Jaiswal said during the ministry’s regular media briefing.

The spokesperson also issued another warning to Indian citizens against accepting overseas employment offers that could expose them to serious risks, particularly those made by dubious individuals or recruitment agencies.

“Once again, we would like to caution our people against job offers that are fraught with risk and made by unscrupulous individuals and agencies,” Jaiswal said.

The issue has remained a diplomatic priority for India amid reports of Indian nationals being recruited into the Russian military after allegedly being promised civilian employment.

The MEA had stated in December that 202 Indian nationals were believed to have been recruited into the Russian armed forces. Following sustained diplomatic engagement, several individuals were discharged and returned, while more than two dozen were reportedly killed and some others were reported missing, according to information provided by the Russian side.

India has repeatedly taken up the matter with Moscow and sought the early release of nationals who were allegedly recruited under circumstances different from what they had initially been promised.

In September 2025, the MEA had issued a strong advisory urging Indian nationals not to join the Russian Army. The advisory came amid reports that several Indians travelling to Russia were being pushed into military roles connected with the conflict in Ukraine.

Concerns intensified following reports that Indian citizens had allegedly been deceived by agents offering jobs in sectors such as construction and security before being sent for military training or deployed in combat areas.

A report published by a leading newspaper had highlighted the cases of two Indian men who claimed they were taken to Russia after being promised construction-related employment but were subsequently deployed to the frontline in eastern Ukraine.

Speaking from Selydove, a town that came under Russian control in November 2024, the two reportedly alleged that at least 13 other Indians were trapped in similar circumstances.

According to the report, the men had travelled to Russia on student or visitor visas within the preceding six months. They alleged that an agent who had promised them construction jobs had misled them and subsequently sent them towards the battlefield.

The Indian government has since stepped up its engagement with Russian authorities to identify Indian nationals serving in the Russian military and facilitate their discharge.

The latest MEA statement indicates that substantial progress has been made, with 139 people already released, while efforts continue for the remaining individuals.

The government has meanwhile reiterated its appeal to Indians seeking employment abroad to verify recruitment offers and agencies thoroughly and avoid opportunities that could involve military service or other dangerous activities.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)