10 Indians Killed Fighting for Russia in Ukraine War: The Shocking Truth Behind the Recruitment

10 Indians dead fighting in Ukraine war, says man who went to Russia

A desperate quest for a missing brother has ripped open a hidden chapter of the brutal Ukraine war, revealing a grim truth that’s shaken families across India: at least ten Indian nationals have been confirmed dead while fighting for the Russian army.

This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a human tragedy born from deception and exploitation. The man at the heart of this revelation is Jagdeep Kumar, a resident of Goraya in Jalandhar, Punjab, whose relentless search for his brother, Mandeep, led him straight into the heart of this international scandal .

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The Jalandhar Man’s Quest: From Missing Brother to National Crisis

Jagdeep Kumar’s nightmare began when his younger brother, Mandeep, went missing in Russia in March 2024 . Like many others, Mandeep was allegedly lured to Russia with the false promise of a well-paying job, a common tactic used by unscrupulous recruiters preying on economic desperation .

Refusing to accept the silence from authorities, Jagdeep made not one, but two dangerous trips to Moscow this year to find answers . His persistence paid off in the most tragic way. During his second visit, he was able to obtain a list of Indian nationals who had been confirmed dead on the Ukrainian frontlines after being conscripted into the Russian military .

Indians killed in Ukraine war: The Grim Confirmation

Jagdeep’s findings confirmed the worst fears of many families. His list included the names of ten Indian men who had lost their lives. Of these, three were from Punjab, including Tejpal Singh from Amritsar, and seven were from Uttar Pradesh . Four others remain missing, their fates unknown .

While Jagdeep’s initial count was ten, other reports from Russian sources have suggested the number of Indian fatalities could be as high as 26, with seven still missing . This discrepancy highlights the chaotic and opaque nature of the situation, where families are left in the dark, relying on the bravery of one man for information.

How Foreign Fighters Are Lured into Russia’s War Machine

The story of these Indian men is not an isolated incident. It’s part of a larger, systematic recruitment strategy by the Russian Federation. Facing heavy losses in its prolonged war against Ukraine, Russia has turned to a global pool of potential fighters.

The playbook is tragically simple:

  1. False Promises: Recruiters offer high-paying, legitimate-sounding jobs in sectors like construction or hospitality in Russia.
  2. Deceptive Travel: Once in Russia, their passports are often confiscated, trapping them in a foreign country with no legal recourse.
  3. Forced Conscription: With no other options, they are pressured or coerced into signing contracts with the Russian military, often with little understanding of the terms or the deadly reality of the frontlines.

This practice has effectively turned desperate job seekers into cannon fodder for a war they have no stake in.

The Broader Context: Foreign Fighters in the Ukraine Conflict

The plight of these Indian nationals is a microcosm of a much larger trend. According to Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, Russia has recruited a staggering over 18,000 foreigners from 128 countries to fight in its war against Ukraine .

These foreign fighters are a critical component of Russia’s strategy to offset its own heavy casualties. Reports indicate that over 3,300 of these foreign nationals have already been killed in action . This massive foreign legion underscores the global scale of the conflict and its ability to ensnare citizens from across the world.

For more on the global impact of the war, see our coverage on [INTERNAL_LINK:global-impact-of-ukraine-war].

Families Fight for Repatriation and Answers

Jagdeep Kumar’s mission is far from over. He is now on a race against time and bureaucracy to repatriate the bodies of his countrymen so they can be laid to rest on their home soil . This is an incredibly complex and sensitive diplomatic process that requires coordination between the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Russian authorities.

Families of the victims are demanding urgent action and transparency from the Indian government. They are not just grieving; they are angry and seeking accountability for how their loved ones ended up in this situation. Jagdeep himself has traveled to Delhi to petition the government for help in his search for his brother and to advocate for the others .

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for India

The story of the Indians killed in Ukraine war is a stark and tragic reminder of the global reach of conflict and the vulnerability of its citizens. It’s a story of lives lost to deception, of families shattered by a war an ocean away, and of one man’s courageous fight to bring the truth home.

This crisis must serve as a wake-up call for the Indian government to strengthen its advisories against travel to conflict zones, crack down on illegal recruitment agencies, and provide robust support to its citizens abroad who may be at risk. The ten names on Jagdeep’s list are not just soldiers for a foreign power; they are sons, brothers, and fathers whose lives were cut short by a web of lies.

Sources

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