Supreme Court Asks MEA To Issue Public Notice Inviting Compensation Claims From Families Of Indians Killed In Russia-Ukraine War

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to issue a public notice inviting compensation claims from families of Indian nationals who died while fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war as part of the Russian armed forces, noting that only six families had sought compensation despite 51 reported deaths.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi directed the MEA to provide assistance to the affected families in securing compensation from Russian authorities. The Court also asked the Ministry to place on record the compensation amounts determined by the Russian authorities and the amounts actually paid to the families.

“It is obvious that the right to seek compensation needs to be apprised to the other family members of the victims. We are informed that the MEA is contacting those families one by one to secure the necessary documents and information. It might be advisable for the MEA to issue a public notice and invite claims and thereafter provide full assistance to those families in order to secure the compensatory benefits for them. In this regard, we expect that if fresh status report we find by the MEA”, the Court observed.

The Court passed the order in a writ petition filed by family members of 26 Indian nationals who allegedly travelled to Russia in search of employment but were recruited into the Russian armed forces. The petition raises allegations of deception and human trafficking in connection with the recruitment of Indians to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war.

On July 31, 2026, the Supreme Court directed the MEA to appoint a nodal officer to coordinate with the families of deceased and injured Indian nationals who had travelled to Russia. The Court also directed the Ministry to arrange DNA tests to identify mortal remains, provide families with the procedure and documents required to claim compensation from Russian authorities, and ensure that pending compensation claims did not delay the handover of mortal remains. It further directed the Legal Services Authorities to provide free legal aid to affected families for filing compensation claims and conducting DNA tests.

The MEA, in its latest status report filed on October 12, stated that approximately 267 Indian nationals had joined the Russian armed forces. Of these, 139 had been discharged, while 51 had reportedly died. The Ministry and the Indian Ambassador in Moscow continue to follow up with Russian authorities to ascertain the whereabouts of 77 Indian nationals, including seven whom the Russian authorities have confirmed as missing, the centre told the Court.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told the bench that the Indian Embassy had forwarded four compensation applications to Russian authorities. One family has received the entire compensation amount, while another has received a partial payment. Four other families had approached Russian authorities directly to seek compensation.

CJI Kant noted that compensation claims had been pursued in respect of only six families despite the reported casualties. Justice Bagchi asked the ASG to file a supplementary status report specifying the compensation amounts determined by the Russian government and whether the families had actually received those amounts.

Bhati said that the MEA is contacting families individually to collect the personal information and documents required to process their claims. The Court, however, asked the Ministry to supplement these efforts by issuing a public notice inviting claims from other eligible families.

The Court directed the MEA to provide full assistance to the families in securing compensation and file a fresh status report on the steps taken.

During the hearing, counsel for the petitioners submitted that Russian authorities required families seeking compensation to travel to Russia, sometimes twice, and open bank accounts there. This created practical difficulties for families seeking to claim compensation of approximately ₹1.5 crore for each deceased Indian national, he submitted.

He sought directions to the Union government to explore whether claims could be submitted through the Russian Embassy in India, including by opening accounts with Russian banks operating in Delhi.

Justice Bagchi asked the petitioners to prepare a list of proposals and discuss them with the ASG so that the concerned Ministries could examine ways to simplify the process.

ASG Bhati assured the Court that the government would continue to engage with Russian authorities to make the procedure easier. “I can assure your lordships that all efforts are being made. Russian side, this is their domain but we are, my lords, trying to get it as much simplified as possible. We'll continue to do that and my colleague, whatever other requests are there, we will continue to pursue them with Russian side. Ultimately, it's our diplomatic and counsellor efforts that will help in this”, she said.

Justice Bagchi also asked the MEA to consider developing standard procedures and assistance schemes for Indian nationals who become victims of trafficking in conflict situations, as well as for seafarers.

The MEA's latest status report stated that the Ministry was aware of more Indian nationals travelling to Russia on work, education or tourist visas and joining the military in the expectation of receiving financial bonuses and other benefits, with the hope of securing their release later. Some Indians had reportedly rejoined after being repatriated, it noted.

The Ministry issued a further advisory on September 30, 2026, reiterating the dangers of joining the Russian armed forces. After learning that recruitment was taking place through non-public entities, including voluntary groups, the MEA advised Indian nationals to rely only on job offers from agents registered with the Ministry, the status report says.

The status report further states that the Indian Embassy has requested Russian authorities to seek a certificate of renunciation of Indian citizenship from Indian nationals before issuing them Russian passports.

In the latest order, Supreme Court also directed the Member Secretaries of the District Legal Services Authorities in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh to comply with the directions issued in its July 31, 2026 to provide free legal aid to affected families to facilitate the submission of compensation claims and the conduct of DNA tests.