The Supreme Court has ordered the Ministry of External Affairs to issue a public notice assisting families of Indians who died or went missing in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. With 51 deaths and 77 individuals still untraced from 267 recruits, the court aims to streamline compensation, provide legal aid, and address fraudulent recruitment risks.
The Supreme Court of India, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, has directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to simplify the process for families seeking compensation following the loss of relatives in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The court has ordered the government to issue a public notice to reach out to affected families, ensuring they are aware of the support mechanisms available for financial restitution and administrative filings.
Government data shared with the bench indicates that 267 Indian nationals were recruited into the Russian armed forces. Of this cohort, 139 individuals have secured discharges and returned to India. However, the situation for the remaining recruits remains critical, with 51 deaths confirmed and 77 individuals still unaccounted for, including seven confirmed missing by Russian authorities. The Supreme Court is now focused on ensuring that families of the deceased and the missing receive the necessary assistance to navigate the complex process of claiming compensation.
To facilitate this, the court has directed District Legal Services Authorities across Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh to provide free legal aid to affected families. This assistance is particularly vital for handling administrative hurdles, including the complex requirements for DNA testing, which is necessary to identify and repatriate mortal remains from the conflict zone. The court has also demanded a formal status report on the six compensation claims that have been processed by the Russian government so far.
Beyond the immediate relief measures, the ongoing proceedings are addressing the broader systemic risk of fraudulent recruitment agents. The court is examining evidence of agents who allegedly lured Indian citizens with promises of civilian jobs, only to seize their passports and force them into military roles. This case, registered as Writ Petition (Civil) No. 451 of 2026, highlights the dangers posed by these illicit networks. The government has previously been ordered to appoint a nodal officer to manage grievances related to these recruitment practices.
The next important update to monitor will be the status report on compensation disbursement and the steps taken by the MEA to coordinate with Russian authorities for the identification and return of the missing individuals. The court's intervention seeks to ensure that the process remains transparent and accessible for families dealing with the aftermath of the conflict.