Telangana Family Fears for Missing Man in Ukraine Conflict
Family of Mohammed Afzal Khan seeks answers after reports of his death on the Russian frontline.
Mohammed Afzal Khan, 43, is feared dead after a voice message claimed he died in Ukraine.
Khan and three others were allegedly misled into military service after seeking jobs in Russia.
Families are urging the Indian government to verify reports and facilitate repatriation.
A family from Telangana is in distress as they seek clarity regarding the fate of Mohammed Afzal Khan, a 43-year-old man believed to have died on the Russian frontline. Reports emerged after a voice message from Sirshu Ashok, another individual reportedly coerced into joining the Russian military, indicated that Khan had been killed near the Ukraine conflict zone last week. The family has since reached out to India's Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, requesting assistance in confirming these alarming reports.
Khan, hailing from Banswada in Kamareddy district, is one of four men from Telangana who traveled to Russia under the pretense of securing civilian jobs. Initially, they were engaged in gardening work but were later allegedly forced into military service. The families of Khan and his companions—Bhukya Ravinder, Sirushu Ashok, and Megavath Prakash—claim they were promised employment in the oil sector but ended up in military camps instead.
After arriving in Russia, the four men reportedly worked for about five months but were compensated for only two months. Following this, they were coerced into military duties with the lure of citizenship and financial benefits. The families allege that the men were subjected to dangerous tasks, including carrying explosives, and faced physical abuse that resulted in injuries.
The families have formally approached the Telangana government, seeking intervention for the safe return of their loved ones. This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding the recruitment of Indians into the Russian military, as the Indian government has previously acknowledged cases of Indian nationals being enlisted. In August, it was reported that 227 Indians had been recruited into the Russian military, with 51 fatalities confirmed.
As the situation unfolds, the families are calling for urgent action from the Indian authorities to ascertain the whereabouts of Khan and the other men. The need for verified information from Russian officials is critical, as this case raises serious questions about the safety of Indians caught in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
