The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday (August 1) said the exact number of such Indian nationals recruited into the Russian armed forces is unclear.

As per the current information, 12 Indian nationals have already left the Russian armed forces while another 63 individuals are seeking early discharge.

Eight deaths have been reported where the citizenship of the deceased has been verified as Indian, the ministry added.

The ministry said the government has received requests for the facilitation of early discharge of some Indian nationals purportedly recruited into the Russian armed forces in unclear circumstances.

During his visit to Russia in July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin to facilitate the return of all Indians working in the Russian Army.

Reports said nearly two dozen Indians are believed to have been forced into fighting the war against Ukraine after being tricked by agents into going to the country on the pretext of getting high-paying jobs.

Indian probe agencies carried out raids and busted a ring involved in trafficking Indians to Russia. The raids revealed that these firms sent at least 35 Indians to Russia, though an official said it was not clear if all of them were forced to fight in the war.