On 22 May 2026, the Supreme Court was briefed that 217 Indian citizens had enlisted in the Russian Armed Forces during the Ukraine war. The briefing highlighted casualties, missing persons and allegations of illegal recruitment.
Key Developments
- Out of 217 Indians, 139 have been released from their contracts.
- 49 have been confirmed dead; six are missing.
- For families who approached the Court, the government reported 14 deaths, 11 missing, and one person incarcerated for a criminal offence.
- Remains of eight deceased have been repatriated, though families dispute the identification.
- The Centre pledged to assist with DNA profiling of relatives to confirm the remains.
Important Facts
The information was presented by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati before a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. Petitioners seek a court directive for the Ministry of External Affairs to take immediate diplomatic and consular measures through the Indian Embassy in Moscow. They also demand identification and prosecution of those involved in illegal overseas recruitment and trafficking.
Exam Relevance
This case touches upon several UPSC themes: the role of the Supreme Court in safeguarding citizens’ rights; the responsibilities of the