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Sources said that many Indians caught in the Ukraine War have “camouflaged” their identity because of the “money”.
Soldiers from pro-Russian troops walk across a road in Mariupol. (IMAGE: REUTERS)
Russia has no control or the number of foreign fighters who have joined its forces in its war in Ukraine. Sources speaking to CNN-News18 said that it is difficult to get Russia to release Indians because the Russians have no data of the fighters from foreign lands who have joined the so-called “military operation to de-Nazify Ukraine” which began in 2022. Russia now occupies areas in eastern Ukraine and southern Ukraine as the war inches towards its fourth year in February 2026.
“Apart from some Indians, (who are) few in number, there are large number of North Koreans, Algerians and many (foreign fighters) from Africa who were hired by Wagner Group,” the source said while speaking to CNN-News18.
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“All of them (Indians) are at a lower level and (Russian) army high command has no idea,” they said.
At least 16 Indian nationals deployed by the Russian Army to fight in Ukraine are missing, while 12 have been killed so far, the Ministry of External Affairs informed earlier in January.
On September 11, the Ministry Of External Affairs (MEA) said the practice of hiring Indian nationals in the battlefield in Russia has ended.
“We have seen reports about Indian nationals having been recruited recently into the Russian army. The government has on several occasions over the past one year underlined the risks and dangers inherent in this course of action and cautioned Indian citizens accordingly… We once again strongly urge all Indian nationals to stay away from any offers to join the Russian army as this is a course fraught with danger,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
The sources highlighted that it is hard to bring back Indians trapped there because some of them tend to “camouflage their identity”.
“Many of these Indians (would) themselves have camouflaged their identity and don’t reveal themselves mainly because of the money,” the sources said.
According to the sources, the Russian side shows urgency in addressing India’s requests but are bound by an war and cannot do much beyond “cursory politeness”. “They have a war to fight and need all the resources they can. When pressure gets too much, they release a few, and then go back to silence,” the source said.
Russia last week that peace talks with Kyiv were on “pause” as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin still wanted to capture the whole of Ukraine.
Ukraine has ruled out making territorial concessions in exchange for a deal, and is calling for a Putin-Zelensky summit to break the deadlock.
About the Author
Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18
Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18
September 16, 2025, 18:01 IST
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