Fifth Indian soldier killed fighting in Ukraine

An Indian soldier has died fighting with Russian forces in Ukraine, a relative confirmed on Monday, marking the fifth known death of an Indian citizen in the ongoing conflict.

Hundreds of Indians are believed to be among the thousands of foreign soldiers recruited by Moscow to bolster its forces. New Delhi has urged their repatriation, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi receiving assurances from Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting in Moscow earlier this month, according to India's foreign ministry.

Ravi Moun, 22, traveled to Russia in January after being promised a job in transport by a private recruitment agent, his brother Ajay told AFP via phone. However, upon arrival, Moun was given weapons training and coerced into joining the fighting on the frontline with Ukraine in March.

"After losing contact with him, I approached the Indian embassy in Moscow, and they informed us that my brother had died," Ajay said. The embassy requested DNA samples from the family to help identify Moun's body. Ajay recounted that his brother had returned from the frontline once but was subsequently taken back to fight. The timeline of Moun's death remains unclear, as the family lost contact with him after his return to the front.

The family has appealed to Prime Minister Modi for assistance in repatriating Moun's body. More than two years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began, tens of thousands of Russian soldiers have been killed, prompting Moscow to seek additional troops globally.

India's foreign ministry announced last week that the government is working with Russian authorities to repatriate approximately 50 Indians fighting alongside the Russian army. The ministry's efforts underscore the complexity of international involvements in the Ukraine conflict and the ongoing struggle to return foreign nationals entangled in the war.