139 Indians Freed from Russian Army: What’s Next for the Remaining Nationals?

Release of Indian Nationals from Russian Forces

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Friday that 139 Indian citizens have been successfully released from the Russian military, with efforts continuing to secure the release of approximately two dozen more individuals.

During a bi-weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized, "We are actively engaging with Russian authorities to facilitate the release of the remaining Indian nationals. Our ongoing efforts have resulted in the liberation of 139 individuals, and we are committed to ensuring the safe return of the others still in the Russian army."

Jaiswal also issued a warning to the public about accepting job offers that may pose risks, particularly those from dubious sources.

"We urge our citizens to be cautious regarding job opportunities that carry inherent risks and are presented by unscrupulous individuals or organizations," he reiterated.

In December, the Ministry had indicated that around 202 Indian nationals were believed to have been enlisted in the Russian armed forces. The government's proactive measures have led to the early discharge of many, although reports indicated that over two dozen had tragically lost their lives, with some still unaccounted for.

In September 2025, the MEA had issued a strong advisory against Indian nationals joining the Russian Army, following reports that several Indians traveling to Moscow were being coerced into combat roles amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

This advisory was prompted by a report from a prominent newspaper, which detailed the experiences of two Indian men in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. They claimed they were misled into traveling to Russia under the guise of construction jobs, only to find themselves deployed on the front lines.

Speaking from Selydove, a town captured by Russian forces in November 2024, they reported that at least 13 more Indians were in similar precarious situations.

The report indicated that these individuals had entered Russia within the last six months on student or visitor visas, having been deceived by an agent who promised them employment in the construction industry, only to redirect them to the battlefield.