10 Indians In Russia Died Fighting Ukraine War, Many Went Voluntarily : Centre Tells Supreme Court

The Central Government on Friday told the Supreme Court that 10 Indian citizens, who went to Russia, have died while fighting the war against Ukraine. The Centre also told the Court that most of them fought the Ukraine war as part of the Russian forces on the basis of voluntary contracts.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi was hearing a writ petition filed by the family members of 26 Indians, who were allegedly forced into the Russian-Ukrainian war, after they went to Russia in search of job opportunities.

Earlier, the Court had sought the response of the Union Government in the matter.

Appearing for the Union Government, Additional Solicitor General Aiswharya Bhati submitted that out of the 26 individuals referred to in the petition, 10 had unfortunately died. She stated that the Ministry of External Affairs had been in communication with the families of all the affected citizens and was pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to address the situation. According to the Centre, many of the individuals had entered into voluntary contracts with Russian entities, though there were also instances where agents may have misled them.

At the outset of the hearing, the counsel for the petitioner alleged that the Ministry of External Affairs has not contacted the family members of these persons.

"They have not collected our DNA sample, we have been trafficked out of the country, they are not even in touch with us, it is not a case of inaction, they are not even in contact with us..." the counsel submitted.

The CJI observed that the "matter needs to be tactfully handled."

ASG Bhati submitted that there were a total of 215 Indians who have gone to Russia, and family members of 26 of them are before the Court. She maintained that the Ministry has been in regular contact with the families.

At this juncture, the Chief Justice stated that he had read a newspaper report about the death of one person in the Ukraine war. ASG Bhati informed that it was a family member of one of the petitioners. She added that the government had managed to arrange for the return of mortal remains but faced difficulties due to a lack of cooperation from the family concerned. She emphasised that the government was committed to supporting every Indian citizen in distress abroad.

"They have been communicating with us to bring back the mortal remains, they said we don't have the capacity. Yesterday, they told us, you keep the mortal remains, we are going to court. This is the behaviour. There are some difficulties; there are human angles. They have to cooperate with us, we are there to support every indian citizen who needs support," ASG said.

The Chief Justice remarked that finding mortal remains from a war zone might be a near impossibility.

The ASG then informed the Court of the status of the petitioners' family members. "I have the status of these 26, out of these, 10 unfortunately passed away. One is in imprisonment in a criminal case, and one is voluntarily continuing. The Indian government has been doing a multi-pronged strategy, we have been guiding them not to accept these. They entered into voluntary contracts."

The counsel for the petitioners refuted this submission, saying that these persons were coerced into joining the war after their passports were confiscated. He added that certain agents had duped them, after offering them jobs in Russia.

The ASG then stated ,"There are multiple dimensions, one is, voluntarily entering into contracts; second is that there are some agents who are misleading them...". She informed that one such agent has been arrested.

The petitioners' counsel submitted that the MEA has not been forthcoming in its response, despite the 120 representations sent by the families over the last few months. He added that a vicitm has sent a video describing his plight, and requested the bench to watch it.

The ASG reiterated that the petitioners have not been cooperating with the Ministry. "We have arranged mortal remains, and the 26th petitioner now says you keep it for 3 months..."

"Unauthorised persons are helping us than the MEA itself...at least they should be directed to collect our DNA samples," the counsel urged.

Taking note of the rival submissions, the bench directed the Ministry of External Affairs to file a detailed status report on the steps taken.

Case : DIVYA vs. UNION OF INDIA W.P.(C) No. 000451 / 2026