As many as 217 Indian nationals joined the Russian Armed Forces amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and 49 of them have lost their lives in the conflict, the Centre has told the Supreme Court.Following sustained diplomatic engagement undertaken by India with Russia, 139 Indian nationals had been released from the contracts they signed to join the Russian army, the Centre said in a status report submitted to the top court.“Further, 49 Indian nationals are reported to have lost their lives. Additionally, six Indian nationals have been confirmed missing by the Russian side, whereas the status of 23 individuals remains unknown,” the report stated. The petitioners’ counsel raised the issue of compensation to the affected familiesThe status report has been filed in response to a petition seeking directions to the Centre to take measures for safe repatriation of 26 Indian citizens allegedly detained in Russia and forced to fight in the ongoing war with Ukraine.Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told a Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Friday that to facilitate tracing of missing Indians and identification of mortal remains, DNA reports of the immediate family members of 21 individuals had been collected and transmitted to the Russian authorities.All such cases were being dealt with on utmost priority and were under continuous follow-up with the Russian authorities for resolution, while simultaneously keeping affected family informed about the developments, the Centre submitted.Regarding the 26 individuals referred to in the petition, the Centre said 14 cases pertained to reported deaths while 11 of them had been notified by the Russian authorities as “missing in action” or presently not in contact with their families. One case pertained to imprisonment for eight years on molestation charges, it added.It said the Indian Embassy had also facilitated transportation of mortal remains in eight cases with consent of the families concerned and necessary procedures were currently underway in relation to the mortal remains of one individual.“It appears that certain Indian nationals voluntarily signed contracts to join the Russian Army. They were lured by attractive salary package that amounts to an upfront signing bonus of around USD 5,000 and monthly salary of about USD 2,500, in addition to promise of Russian citizenship, other social benefits and compensation of about US$ 1,68,000 in case of death,” the report said.