New Delhi: Twelve Indian nationals serving in the Russian Armed Forces have died, with 16 more reported missing, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal extended condolences and shared the latest updates and spoke of the continued efforts to facilitate the safe return of the affected people.
“The death of Binil Babu is extremely unfortunate. We have conveyed our condolences to the family. Our embassy is in touch with the Russian authorities to facilitate the return of his mortal remains to India at the earliest,” Jaiswal said. He also said that another Indian national, who is undergoing medical treatment in Moscow, is expected to return to India once found.
Indians stuck in Russia
Of the 126 known Indian nationals serving in the Russian Armed Forces, 96 have been discharged and have returned to India. Of the remaining 30, 12 have been confirmed dead, and 16 are listed as “missing” by Russian authorities. “We are seeking early release and repatriation of those who remain, ” Jaiswal said.
Regarding the additional sanctions on Russia’s energy sector, Jaiswal said that India is in close coordination with US authorities to evaluate the potential effects on Indian entities. “Our oil purchases have been, and will continue to be, guided by our own energy security requirements and prevailing global circumstances,” he said.
