139 Indians Released from Russian Military Amid Ongoing Ukraine Conflict: Supreme Court Informed

In a significant update regarding Indian nationals caught up in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the Union government informed the Supreme Court on Friday that out of 217 Indians who had enlisted with the Russian military, 139 have been released from their contracts. This revelation was made by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati during a hearing presided over by Chief Justice Surya Kant.

Terrifying statistics emerged from the government’s submission, revealing that 49 of these individuals have tragically lost their lives in the war, while six others have been reported missing. Families of 26 Indians had approached the Supreme Court seeking assistance in securing the safe return of their loved ones, and Bhati disclosed that among this group, 14 are confirmed deceased, 11 remain unaccounted for, and one individual is currently incarcerated due to criminal charges.

Adding to the somber reality of the situation, Bhati informed the court that the remains of eight deceased individuals have been returned to their families. However, concerns were raised by the counsel representing the families regarding the identification of these remains, many of which were reportedly beyond recognition. In response, the Additional Solicitor General stated that the government is facilitating the collection of DNA samples from relatives to aid in the identification process.

The backdrop to this crisis can be traced back to February 2022, when Russia embarked on its military invasion of Ukraine, igniting one of the most devastating conflicts in Europe since World War II. Throughout this tumultuous period, the Indian External Affairs Ministry has issued multiple advisories urging citizens to refrain from joining the Russian military, emphasizing that many individuals are often misled by unscrupulous agents promising lucrative contracts.

The Supreme Court’s proceedings reflect the urgent need for transparency and accountability in the plight of these Indian nationals, as families continue to grapple with the uncertainty of their loved ones’ fates.

Source: scroll.in