Of about 267 Indians who joined the Russian army, 51 are stated to have died, and the Supreme Court now wants their families told how to claim compensation. A right nobody has heard of, it indicated, is of little use.
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) should help families of Indians killed in Russia-Ukraine war while serving in the Russian armed forces to claim compensation from Russian authorities, the Supreme Court said on Wednesday, observing that it might be advisable for the Ministry to issue a public notice inviting such claims. The Court was hearing a petition by relatives of 26 Indians who allegedly went to Russia for work and were recruited into its army [Divya v. Union of India].
The matter was heard by a Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, with Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati appearing for the Union. The MEA has been told to file a fresh status report on the steps taken.
Telling families what they are entitled to
The Bench stressed that compensation would mean little if families were unaware that they could seek it. The Court observed:
“It is obvious that the right to seek compensation needs to be apprised to the other family members of the victims.”
Justice Bagchi asked the ASG to file a supplementary status report recording the compensation Russian authorities determined in each case, what was actually paid, and whether the families had received the money.
The status report of October 12
According to the MEA’s status report, about 267 Indian nationals joined the Russian armed forces. Of them, 139 have been discharged and 51 are stated to have died. The whereabouts of 77 are being followed up, and Russian authorities have confirmed seven of those as missing.
On compensation, the Union told the Court that the Indian Embassy had forwarded four applications to Russian authorities. One family has received the full amount and another a partial payment, while four other families approached the Russian authorities on their own. The Court was not shown the amounts determined or paid.
Why claims are hard to make
The petitioners say Russian authorities expect families to travel to Russia, sometimes twice, and to open bank accounts there before a claim is processed. Their counsel said claims of about Rs 1.5 crore per deceased person were being sought. They asked the Union to consider whether claims could instead be filed through the Russian Embassy in India, including by opening accounts with Russian banks in Delhi. Justice Bagchi asked the petitioners to prepare proposals and discuss them with the ASG, so that the Ministries could look at simpler ways of going about it.
The ASG assured the Bench that every effort was being made, and said diplomatic and consular channels would ultimately be what helps. The Union also told the Court that the MEA had issued an advisory on September 30, 2026, cautioning Indians against joining the Russian armed forces and asking them to rely only on job offers routed through MEA-registered agents. The Embassy, it said, had asked Russian authorities to obtain a certificate of renunciation of Indian citizenship before issuing Russian passports.
July 31 directions, and a wider ask
On July 31, 2026, the Court had directed the MEA to appoint a nodal officer, arrange DNA tests, provide the procedure for compensation claims, ensure that claims do not hold up the handover of mortal remains, and secure free legal aid for the families through the Legal Services Authorities. On Wednesday, it directed the Member Secretaries of the District Legal Services Authorities in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh to comply with those directions on legal aid for compensation claims and DNA tests.
The Court also asked the MEA to consider framing standard procedures and assistance schemes for Indian nationals who fall victim to trafficking in conflict situations, and for seafarers. The petition’s allegations of deception and trafficking remain to be adjudicated.
Case Title: Divya v. Union of India
Case No.: W.P.(C) No. 451/2026
Bench: CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi
Date of Hearing: October 14, 2026
Appearance: ASG Aishwarya Bhati for the Union of India