Russia asks for DNA reports of missing Indians’ mothers

Days after the Ministry of External Affairs claimed that 16 Indians were still missing in Russia, the authorities of the nation at war have sought DNA test reports of their kin.

Two such families are from Punjab. They have been asked to send DNA reports of the missing Indians’ mothers. The families are worried about the well-being of their loved ones employed with the Russian Army.

Sukhpreet Kaur from Kalyan village in Malerkotla said she was conveyed over the phone by activists campaigning to bring back Indian youths engaged in the Russian war against Ukraine to arrange a DNA report of Sinder Pal Kaur, the mother of Budh Ram Singh, who went missing in Russia in March. Sukhpreet, who is the wife of Budh Ram’s elder brother, said he had last spoken to the family on March 26, conveying that he would not be able to communicate with them for a fortnight as he would be deployed at the frontline. The family has been running from pillar to post to know the fate of their son, who was recruited for the Russian Army, probably as a helper.

In an email, the Indian Embassy in Moscow has asked the family of Mandeep Kumar, who hails from Goraya in Jalandhar and is missing since March 3, to provide the DNA report of his mother for identification purpose. This was informed by Mandeep’s brother Jagdeep Kumar, who has been campaigning to bring back the Indians who went to Russia but are incommunicado for a long time.

Rahul from Amritsar is also in Russia. He had left the Russian Army and was residing with civilians in Moscow, said Jagdeep.

He said a DNA test costs between ₹18,000 and ₹25,000, adding that the families of the two missing Indians were finding it difficult to afford. On their behalf, Jagdeep today shot an email to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs seeking a way out. In a reply, the MEA has sought time to provide help.