16 Indians Missing in Russia-Ukraine War, 12 Dead

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): In a concerning development amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has reported that 16 Indian nationals, who were serving in the Russian army, have gone missing. Additionally, 12 Indians have lost their lives in the conflict. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that a total of 126 Indian nationals had joined the Russian military. While 96 of them have safely returned to India, 18 individuals remain in Russia, with 16 categorized as missing by Russian authorities.

The Indian government is in continuous talks with Russian officials to secure the release and safe return of these missing nationals. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had previously raised the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who assured that Indian nationals would be removed from the Russian military. It is understood that several Indian nationals joined the Russian army for various reasons. The recent death of Binil Babu, a young man from Kerala, in the conflict has further highlighted the risks faced by Indian citizens in the Russian military. Following this tragic incident, the Indian government has intensified its efforts to ensure the safety of its citizens caught in the ongoing war.

The government is closely monitoring the situation and remains in constant communication with Russian authorities to facilitate the safe return of the remaining Indian nationals. The safety and well-being of these individuals have become a significant concern, with the government under pressure to act swiftly.