India Negotiates Release of Citizens from Russia and Ukraine

The Ministry of External Affairs is conducting diplomatic negotiations with the governments of Russia and Ukraine to secure the release and repatriation of Indian nationals. In Ukraine, officials are negotiating the release of an Indian national currently in custody and performing consular visits to monitor their well-being.

In Russia, the government is working to discharge citizens who were recruited into the Russian armed forces, often via fraudulent employment offers. Of the approximately 259 Indian citizens recruited into the military, 139 have returned home, while 69 remain under discussion for release. The government has taken law enforcement action against fraudulent travel agents and issued multiple advisories warning citizens against joining the Russian army.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized India's proactive approach to citizen protection, citing the evacuation of 22,000 citizens from Ukraine at the start of the conflict under the personal supervision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Goyal contrasted this with other nations that issue advisories without providing practical means for citizens to return home.