At least 12 Indian nationals have been confirmed dead in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, while 16 others are reported missing, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday. The deceased were fighting on behalf of Russia, as indicated by the ministry.

During a press conference, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal detailed, “As of today, there are 126 cases of Indian nationals serving in the Russian Army. Of these, 96 have returned to India and have been discharged from military service. Currently, 18 Indian nationals remain in the Russian Army, and the whereabouts of 16 are unknown.”

He further stated, “The Russian authorities have classified these individuals as missing, and we are actively seeking their early release and repatriation. The 12 Indian nationals who have died were serving in the Russian Army.”

This statement follows the death of Binil Babu, an Indian national who was recruited by the Russian military, and another Indian who was injured during the conflict. The Indian embassy is coordinating with Russian officials to facilitate the return of Babu’s remains. Additionally, another Indian national, Jain TK, is receiving medical treatment in Moscow and is expected to return to India upon completion of his treatment.

In addressing the loss of Binil Babu, Jaiswal remarked, “His death is extremely unfortunate. We have expressed our condolences to his family. Our embassy is in communication with Russian authorities to ensure the timely repatriation of his mortal remains. Another individual injured is being treated in Moscow and is likely to return to India shortly after his recovery.”

The MEA reiterated that the embassy in Moscow is in contact with the families of both individuals, providing all necessary assistance. “We have learned of the unfortunate death of the Indian national from Kerala, who had apparently been recruited to serve in the Russian Army,” Jaiswal added.

As the political temperature in Delhi heats up with the upcoming elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has affirmed its commitment to continue the welfare schemes initiated by the incumbent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). This announcement was part of BJP’s recently unveiled manifesto, which was immediately met with skepticism by AAP’s chief, Arvind Kejriwal.

During the release of BJP’s three-part ‘Sankalp Patra’, which focuses on women’s welfare, Union Minister JP Nadda outlined plans that include financial support for women, young mothers, and senior citizens, along with subsidies for cooking gas cylinders. However, Kejriwal seized on these promises to question the BJP’s rationale for asking for votes if their plan only mirrors existing schemes.

Kejriwal’s response was sharp, especially on social media where he pointed out that even BJP members’ families benefit from the welfare policies his government implemented. He provocatively asked if Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved of the BJP’s promise of continuing ‘free revdi’—a term Modi used pejoratively to describe AAP’s freebie culture. Kejriwal demanded Modi to acknowledge that these initiatives were beneficial rather than detrimental.

Moreover, the AAP leader criticized the BJP for lacking a substantive plan for Delhi, particularly in addressing the law-and-order situation, which he referred to amid discussions of ongoing gang conflicts in the region. He dismissed the BJP’s manifesto as a mere replication of AAP’s policies without original vision.

The BJP, through Delhi chief Virendra Sachdeva, retorted by accusing Kejriwal of misunderstanding the difference between mere handouts and actual empowerment. Sachdeva emphasized that BJP’s vision encompasses comprehensive development and empowerment, contrasting it with AAP’s approach.

Nadda, during the manifesto release, also targeted the AAP for alleged corruption, especially criticizing the Mohalla Clinics as corrupt institutions, promising investigations if BJP is elected.

As the electoral battle in Delhi intensifies, both parties continue to spar over the implications of their policies, each trying to sway the electorate with promises of better governance and accusations of inadequate leadership.

Indian cricketer Rinku Singh is preparing to marry Priya Saroj, a Member of Parliament representing the Samajwadi Party. Several reports indicated that the couple recently got engaged and are projected to marry soon, although the specific date has not been disclosed.

Rinku has a close relationship with Shah Rukh Khan, the owner of Kolkata Knight Riders. In a lighthearted conversation, Rinku mentioned that Khan playfully inquired about his marriage plans, even promising to attend and dance at his wedding.

There has been no official announcement from either the cricketer or the Member of Parliament regarding their engagement. However, a viral post on X has circulated claims about the engagement, stating, “Rinku Singh gets engaged to Samajwadi Party MP Priya Saroj. Many congratulations to them!”

Priya Saroj, who serves as an MP from Machhali Shahar, is the daughter of Tufani Saroj, a three-time MP and current MLA. Before launching her political career, Priya was a practising lawyer.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, she achieved a significant victory over BJP candidate BP Saroj, winning by a margin of 35,850 votes. This accomplishment made her the second-youngest elected member of the lower house of Parliament. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delhi and a Bachelor of Laws from Amity University in Noida.

Rinku Singh was included as a travelling reserve in India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad. Despite not being a regular player for the national team, he has been selected for the upcoming T20I series against England, which kicks off on January 22.

Although he had a modest IPL season, scoring 168 runs at an average of 18.67, his team triumphed in securing their third title. Overall, Rinku has played 30 T20Is for India, accumulating 507 runs, along with 2 ODIs where he has scored 55 runs. Renowned for his ability to perform under pressure, Rinku has frequently impressed with his explosive batting capabilities.