| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Yekaterinburg · Saint Petersburg · Moscow | |
| Languages | |
| Russian · Various Indian Languages · English | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism • Christianity • Sikhism • Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| People of Indian Origin |
Russian Indians includeIndian expatriates in Russia, as well as Russian citizens of Indian origin or descent.
According to the Ministry of External affairs, there are approximately 62,825 Indians in Russia. In addition to this, there are also about 1500 Afghan nationals of Indian origin living in the country.[1]
In the late eighteenth century, Russian travellerPallas noted the presence of hundreds ofMultaniVaiṣṇava Hindu merchant families inAstrakhan at the mouth of the Volga river.[2]
The Hindustani Samaj is the oldest Indian organization to be set up in Russia, in 1957.[1] The Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Center was opened in 1989 for propagating Indian culture in Russia. Its idea was conceived after the great success of the Festival of India, held in 1988 in the USSR.[3]
In May 2022, two consignments of medicine were sent to Russian soldiers during theinvasion of Ukraine, under the initiative of Disha.
During the invasion of Ukraine, dozens of Indians were recruited to serve in theRussian Armed Forces. Most of them were deceived by recruiters promising them money and jobs.[4] According to a Russian official, as of February 2024, around 100 Indians had been recruited.[5] Indians were sent to work on the front, with nine of them having been killed as of September 2024. Following a visit in Moscow by Indian Prime MinisterNarendra Modi, in July 2024 Russia promised to discharge all Indians fighting in its army. As of September, 45 Indians had been released.[4]
A majority of Indians living in Russia are Hindus, with other populations including Christians of Indian origin, Muslims, and Sikhs.Hinduism is practised in Russia, though most ignore it, primarily by followers of theVaishnava Hindu organizationInternational Society for Krishna Consciousness,Brahma Kumaris and by itinerantswamis from India.[6]
 Ancestry in Russia | |
|---|---|
| Africa | |
| Asia | |
| Europe | |