Following discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia had promised to release all Indian nationals from its army.
A 22-year-old man from Haryana, reportedly sent to the frontline by the Russian Army to fight against Ukrainian forces, has died, his family said on Monday. The Indian embassy in Moscow confirmed the death of Ravi Moun, who was from Matour village in Haryana’s Kaithal district, according to his brother Ajay Moun. This tragedy is among at least four other reported fatalities in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Ravi Moun had travelled to Russia on January 13 for what he believed was a transportation job, but was subsequently drafted into the military, his brother claimed. Ajay Moun reached out to the embassy on July 21 for information on his brother. “The embassy informed us of his death,” Ajay said. The family was asked to provide a DNA test report for body identification.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticised the central government over the rising unemployment rates, particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, which have led many young people to seek opportunities abroad. He commented on X, “A large number of youth from states like UP and Haryana, faced with mounting unemployment at home, have been recruited as Agniveers in the Russian army.”
He also referred to the BJP’s election campaign, which boasted of India’s intervention to pause the war to secure the safe passage of Indian students, saying, “This is the war that the propaganda ke papa was supposed to have stopped.”
This news comes shortly after Russia agreed to India’s request for the early release and return of Indian nationals drafted into the military, following discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia had promised to expedite the discharge of all Indian nationals from its army.
Last month, the Ministry of External Affairs expressed deep concern over the issue of Indian nationals serving in the Russian Army and urged Moscow to take prompt action.
Ajay Moun alleged that his brother was forced by the Russian Army to fight against Ukrainian forces or face 10 years in jail. Initially trained to dig trenches, Ravi Moun was later sent to the frontline, according to Ajay.
“We kept in touch with him until March 12, and he was visibly distressed,” Ajay said.
In response to Ajay Moun’s letter, the Indian embassy stated, “The embassy had requested the concerned Russian authorities for confirmation of his death and transportation of his mortal remains requested by you. The Russian side has confirmed his death. However, to identify the body, they need a DNA test from his close relatives.”
Ajay also appealed to PM Modi to help bring his brother’s body back to India, citing financial constraints. “We don’t have enough money to bring back his body,” he told reporters. The family had sold a one-acre plot and spent Rs 11.50 lakh to send Ravi to Russia, Ajay added.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has been ongoing since February 2022. Many Indian nationals who left India between December 2023 and February 2024 have been recruited into the Russian Army. They were lured with promises of salaries around Rs 2 lakh for jobs as security personnel or helpers by agents in Dubai. Families of the victims reported that the agents charged Rs 3.5 lakh each for these promised jobs in Russia.
While reports suggest that about 100 Indian workers have been recruited by the Russian army, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal acknowledged in June that around 20 people had sought assistance to return.
