New Delhi, Oct 14: The Supreme Court, on Wednesday, asked the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to consider issuing a public notice inviting families of Indians who died while fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war to seek assistance and compensation. The direction came after the MEA informed a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, through its latest status report, that 51 Indians who had joined the Russian armed forces had died, while 77 recruits remained untraced.

The Indian embassy in Russia is pursuing the whereabouts of 77 recruits, including seven whom Russian authorities have confirmed as missing. The bench took note of the MEA’s submission that officials were contacting affected families individually and expected the authorities to facilitate their compensation claims.

It also considered the challenges involved in securing compensation from Russia, delays in DNA-based identification and the repatriation of mortal remains. Appearing for the Centre, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the court that the Russian government had processed six compensation claims, of which five had been settled in full and one partially.

The bench observed that the right to seek compensation extended to the families of all 51 Indians who had lost their lives in the conflict. It also directed the District Legal Services Authorities of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh to comply with its earlier order providing free legal aid to affected families.

The assistance is intended to cover the submission of compensation claims, DNA testing and other necessary legal and administrative formalities. Bhati told the court that approximately 267 Indians had joined the Russian armed forces, of whom 51 had died and 139 had been discharged from military service.

“Ultimately, our diplomatic and consular efforts will help,” Bhati submitted, adding that Russian authorities had been cooperating and that the Centre would continue to pursue requests to simplify the process. On July 31, the Supreme Court had directed the Centre to appoint a nodal officer in the MEA to coordinate with the families of Indians who had died, gone missing or suffered injuries while fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war.