A 43-year-old man from Telangana’s Kamareddy district is feared dead after allegedly being deployed to the Russia-Ukraine border despite travelling to Russia for an oil industry job. Mohammed Afzal Khan, a resident of Banswada, left India in February 2026 after an agent assured him of employment in the oil sector. According to his family, he initially worked in the industry for a few months before losing his job and later accepted another offer that promised a high-paying gardening and housekeeping position with the Russian military. His relatives say they have received no official confirmation from either the Russian authorities or the Indian Embassy in Moscow and have appealed to the Government of India to establish his whereabouts and, if necessary, facilitate the return of his body.
The family’s fears intensified after Sirshu Ashok, another Telangana resident who had travelled to Russia for work, reportedly sent a voice message to his wife claiming that Afzal Khan had been killed near the Russia-Ukraine border last week. However, neither the Russian government nor the Indian Embassy has verified the claim. Earlier, on September 24, Afzal had sent a distress voice note to his family, saying that he and three others were being moved to the frontline and feared they would not return alive. His brother, Amjath, said the family is desperately seeking proof of his condition, requesting photographs, videos, or any official evidence to bring clarity to the situation.
According to the family, Afzal had spent nearly Rs 2 lakh to travel to Russia and was unable to recover the amount before losing his initial job. They allege that another agent from Telangana persuaded him to join what was presented as a support role with the Russian military, but he was instead sent to a conflict zone. The families of three other Telangana men are also seeking their safe return after facing similar circumstances. Last month, they submitted a representation to the Pravasi Prajavani grievance forum in Hyderabad, urging the Ministry of External Affairs, the NRI Department, and the Indian Embassy to intervene. They have also demanded a thorough investigation into the agents who allegedly recruited the men under false promises of employment.
