Mohammed Afzal Khan, 43, of Banswada in Telangana’s Kamareddy district, allegedly died near the Russia‑Ukraine frontline a week ago, a voice clip from his wife’s husband Sirshu Ashok confirming the claim.
Khan was among four Telangana men who departed for Russia in 2022 enlisting in the oil sector, only to find themselves conscripted into military camps after five months of unpaid grass‑cutting.
The family filed a formal request with Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, urging the ministry to liaise with Russian authorities to confirm Khan’s death, identify his remains, and repatriate them.
In August, the ministry reported that 227 Indians had been recruited by Russia, 139 discharged, and 51 had died, underscoring a growing concern over Indian nationals embroiled in the conflict.
The ministry has committed to contact Moscow’s embassy and the Russian Defence Ministry, with a response on Khan’s status and potential repatriation expected by mid‑October.