India presses Russia for release of remaining nationals amid job scam warnings

India says it is still negotiating with Russia to free about two dozen Indians still serving in the Russian army, after 139 have returned, and warns citizens against risky overseas job offers.

India's foreign ministry reported that 139 of its nationals have been brought back from service in the Russian armed forces, while diplomatic efforts persist to obtain the release of the remaining two dozen who are still enlisted. Randhir Jaiswal, the ministry's spokesperson, cautioned Indians about deceptive overseas job advertisements that have led many to be recruited under false pretenses and sent to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Following a Supreme Court directive, the ministry will designate a nodal officer to coordinate with families of those who died, were injured, or are missing, and to help with DNA matching and compensation processes through the Russian Embassy in New Delhi. The court also instructed that all communications be delivered in the affected families' native languages. The situation highlights ongoing concerns about illegal recruitment and the humanitarian impact on Indian citizens caught in the conflict.