Indian influx helps Russia make up labour shortfallIn 2021, a year before Russia sent its troops into Ukraine, some 5,000 work permits were approved for Indian nationals. "Currently, expatriate employees from India are the most popular," said Alexei Filipenkov, director of a company that brings in Indian workers. President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed a deal in December to make it easier for Indians to work in Russia. Denis Manturov, Russia's first deputy prime minister, said at the time that Russia could accept an "unlimited number" of Indian workers. Sat at a sewing machine, 23-year-old Gaurav from India said he had been working in Russia for three months.

Source: The Telegraph February 11, 2026 12:12 UTC