51 Indians killed, 77 missing in Russia-Ukraine war; SC asks MEA to help families seek compensation

The Supreme Court has asked the Ministry of External Affairs to issue a public notice inviting families of Indians who have died while fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war to seek help and compensation.

Underlining the right to seek compensation, the top court asked the MEA to file a new report updating the status of exact compensation given by the Russian government.

The MEA, in its latest status report, apprised a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi that 51 Indians who fought the war have died and 77 recruits remain untraced so far.


The direction to this effect was passed after Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, said that so far six compensation claims have been processed by the Russian government. She added that five compensation claims have been satisfied fully and one partially.

The bench said that the right to seek compensation accrues to the families of all 51 persons who unfortunately lost their lives there.

It also asked the District Legal Services Authorities of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh to comply with its earlier direction to provide free legal aid to the aggrieved families for "submission of claims and/ or conducting of DNA test, apart from other necessary legal/ administrative formalities which are required to be completed by them".

Around 267 Indians have joined the Russian armed forces, of whom 51 had died and 139 had been discharged from military service, the Centre told the bench. The Indian embassy in Russia is pursuing the whereabouts of 77 recruits, including seven whom Russian authorities have confirmed as missing.

The additional solicitor general told the bench that all possible efforts were being made to assist the families.

"Ultimately, our diplomatic and consular efforts will help," Bhati submitted, adding that Russian authorities had been cooperating and the government would continue to pursue requests to simplify the process.

On July 31, the top court had directed the Centre to appoint a nodal officer in the MEA to coordinate with the families of those who have died, gone missing or suffered injuries while fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war.

It had also directed the MEA to facilitate DNA matching of family members with the mortal remains. The bench was hearing a plea pertaining to Indian nationals recruited into the Russian military after being allegedly duped by travel agents.

The plea seeks return of mortal remains, compensation and a coordinated mechanism for the affected families.

The bench, in its order, noted that over 200 people, mostly hailing from Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, had gone to Russia in 2024-25 for working in different sectors, including hospitality.

with PTI inputs