New Delhi, Jan 17 (UNI) Twelve Indian nationals serving in the Russian Army have been killed in the Ukraine conflict so far, while 16 have been categorised as missing by Russia, the MEA said today.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing a briefing today, said that the body of an Indian national from Kerala, Binil Babu, who was killed in the conflict, is being repatriated to India.
The Indian Embassy in Moscow is in touch with the relatives of another person from Kerala who was injured, and he will be discharged and sent back to India, he added.
Jaiswal said that as of today, there are 126 known cases of Indian nationals serving in the Russian Army. Of these 96 have been discharged by the Russian Army and have returned to India, while 12 Indians have died in the conflict.
He said 18 Indian nationals still remain there, of whom “16 have been categorised as missing by the Russian Army”.
He said that India has been in constant touch with Russia for the early release and repatriation of Indians working with the Russian Army.
On January 14, the MEA spokesperson said that India has taken up strongly with Russia the issue of the death of an Indian national from Kerala and reiterated the demand for the early release of all remaining Indian nationals serving in Russia.
In a statement, the MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the Indian Embassy in Moscow is in touch with the family of the dead Indian, Binil Babu, and is working to bring back his body.
“The matter has been strongly taken up with the Russian authorities in Moscow as well as with the Russian Embassy in New Delhi today.
“We have also reiterated our demand for the early discharge of the remaining Indian nationals,” the January 14 statement read.
PM Modi had also raised the issue of Indian nationals working in the Russian Army during his bilateral talks with President Putin in Moscow in July last year.
UNI RN