The Supreme Court asked the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to provide details of compensation determined by Russian authorities and actual payments made to victim families, while advising the MEA to issue a public notice for pending claims and clarify actions taken against illegal recruitment agents.

In April 2026, the Court asked the Union Government to look into the plea. After which, the Centre submitted that out of 26 individuals named in the plea, 10 have already lost their lives in the Russia-Ukraine War.

The Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi ordered, "We have also impressed upon the MEA that details of the compensation amount determined by the Russian authorities and actual payments made thereof to the families may also be furnished to the court. Similarly, there being 51 casualties and claim applications having been received only with respect to six families, it is obvious that the right to seek compensation needs to be apprised to the other family members of the victims. We are informed that the MEA is contacting such families one by one to secure the necessary documents and mechanisms. It might be advisable for the MEA to issue a public notice and invite such claims and thereafter provide full assistance to those families in order to secure the compensatory benefits for them. In this regard, we expect that a fresh status report will be filed by the MEA. In the next status report, they may also clarify what action they have taken against these agents."


A writ petition was filed under Article 32 of the Constitution of India concerning grave constitutional concerns regarding the protection of the life, liberty, dignity and livelihood of Indian citizens who have become stranded, detained or forcibly recruited in circumstances connected with the ongoing armed conflict in the Russia-Ukraine region.

The Court had issued key directions to the Ministry of External Affairs to appoint a dedicated Nodal Officer, conduct mandatory DNA testing on mortal remains, and expedite compensation claims for Indian nationals fraudulently recruited into the Russian armed forces for the Russia-Ukraine War.

The Status Report informed the Court that the MEA and the Embassy of India in Moscow continue to follow up with the Russian authorities to ascertain the whereabouts of some 77 Indian nationals recruited in the Russian army, including seven confirmed by the Russian authorities as missing.

As per the latest information, approximately 267 Indian nationals joined the Russian armed forces. With the facilities provided and the early discharge facilitated by the embassy, 139 nationals have since been discharged, whereas 51 Indian nationals have unfortunately lost their lives. The status of all 26 prisoners remains the same.

It was noted that the Indian authorities are also assisting the families of the deceased and missing persons in seeking compensation from the Russian authorities. Four compensation applications have been forwarded by the Indian embassy to Russian authorities, out of which one family has received the entire compensation, while another has received it in part. In four other cases, the families have approached the Russian authorities directly and received compensation.

The Court also said that DNA reports received from the state authorities for one Gokul Singh and Dinesh Kumar have been shared by the embassy with Russian authorities for expeditious tracing.

It was also pointed out in the report that the MEA is aware that more Indian citizens are entering Russia on work, education, and tourism visas and joining the military under the impression that they can avail sign-on bonuses and other concomitant benefits and later secure release by approaching the Union of India. Some of them have even rejoined after being repatriated. Keeping this in mind, the MEA has released a further advisory on 30th September 2026 reiterating the gravity of such actions and the mortal dangers involved.

The Court also ordered, "The district-level security authorities of the states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Kerala, and Himachal Pradesh were also expected to comply with directions contained in paragraph three of our order dated 31st July 2026. Status reports appear to have been filed. The member secretaries of these legal services authorities are directed to do the needful. The registry shall forward a copy of this order to all the member secretaries. Post this matter for further consideration."

The Plea was filed by AOR Sandeep Kumar Sen and drawn by Advocates Aayush and Ritwik Bhanot. It was submitted that the Petitioners were family members and close relatives of 26 Indian nationals who had travelled abroad between 2024 and 2025 on the basis of tourist visas, student visas, or other lawful travel documents, believing that they would pursue; legitimate employment or educational opportunities in the Russian Federation. However, subsequent events reveal that many of these individuals were induced or lured by recruitment agents operating within India who promised employment opportunities in sectors such as construction, hospitality, security services and other forms of labour.

Cause Title: Divya and Ors. v. Union of India and Ors. [ Writ Petition (C) No. 451/2026]

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