Russia to Recruit Over 40,000 Indian Workers in 2026 to Address Labor Shortage
Russia is planning to bring at least 40,000 Indian workers in 2026 to help fill a growing shortage of workers, according to recent reports. This move comes as Russia faces a significant labor crisis driven by a declining population, an exodus of people leaving the country, and the ongoing war in Ukraine since 2022.
Official Confirmation and Existing Workforce
The figure was confirmed by Boris Titov, Russia’s special representative for relations with international organisations in the field of sustainable development, in comments to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. Additionally, India’s ambassador to Moscow, Vinay Kumar, told the agency that between 70,000 and 80,000 Indian citizens were already working in Russia by the end of 2025, highlighting the existing scale of Indian migration.
Labor Mobility Agreement and Quotas
This recruitment drive follows a labor mobility agreement signed in December 2025 during a meeting in New Delhi between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The agreement includes a planned quota of more than 70,000 Indian workers for 2026, indicating a strategic push to bolster Russia’s workforce through international partnerships.
Rising Migration Trends
Border data reviewed by Deutsche Welle shows that Indian migration to Russia has been rising steadily. In the first quarter of 2025, around 32,000 Indian citizens crossed into Russia, followed by 36,000 in the second quarter. The number then jumped significantly to 63,000 in the third quarter of the year, underscoring a sharp increase in movement.
Recruitment and Working Conditions
Indian workers are being recruited through both official and unofficial agencies, which are expected to provide information about jobs and working conditions. Wages for low-skilled Indian workers range between €475 and €950 per month (approximately $556 to $1,112). In December, Russian outlet Fontanka reported that Indian workers were cleaning streets in St Petersburg, with some earning around 100,000 rubles per month, receiving free accommodation and meals, and being offered Russian language courses. City officials noted that around 3,000 Indian citizens had arrived in St Petersburg looking for work.
Risks and Challenges
In the past, some Indians have become victims of fraud, with reports indicating that some citizens were misled into signing contracts with the Russian army and later sent to fight in Ukraine. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, 126 Indians have signed army contracts, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. At least 12 have been killed, while 96 have returned to India, as per the foreign ministry.
Language and Cultural Barriers
Economist Igor Lipsits pointed out that language could become a major barrier, noting that most Indian workers do not speak Russian, while many Russians do not speak English. “You bring people into the country with whom you cannot communicate,” he said, highlighting potential integration challenges.
Strategic Motivations
Economist Andrei Yakovlev suggested that Russia’s focus on India may also be driven by a desire to reduce migration from Muslim-majority Central Asian states, indicating broader geopolitical considerations in labor policy.
Extent of Labor Shortage
Russia’s labor shortage stood at around 2.2 million workers in 2024, according to official figures cited by DW, emphasizing the critical need for foreign workers to sustain economic activities.
