A 30-year-old Hyderabad man, Mohammed Asfan, tragically lost his life in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Asfan, reportedly coerced into joining the Russian Army after falling victim to a job scam, succumbed to the violence of the war, leaving behind his wife and two children.
Seeking assistance, Asfan’s family reached out to AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, hoping to bring him back from Russia. However, their hopes were dashed when the Indian Embassy in Moscow confirmed Asfan’s demise.
In response to the heartbreaking news, the Indian Embassy took to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), pledging to coordinate with Asfan’s family and Russian authorities to repatriate his mortal remains to India.
Tragically, Asfan’s story is not unique. Like several others, he fell prey to deceitful agents who promised employment opportunities but instead enlisted them as ‘helpers’ for the Russian Army in the war.
This recent casualty echoes the loss of another Indian, 23-year-old Hamil Mangukiya from Gujarat, who also found himself embroiled in the conflict after responding to a job advertisement. Mangukiya, recruited as an assistant in the Russian Army, fell victim to an airstrike by Ukraine in the Donetsk region, highlighting the peril faced by those lured into such schemes.
The plight of these individuals underscores a concerning trend, with reports suggesting that some Indian nationals are being coerced into combat roles alongside Russian soldiers.
In response to these alarming reports, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has reiterated its commitment to securing the release of Indian nationals serving as support staff for the Russian army. Efforts are underway to ensure their safe return home, away from the dangers of war-torn regions.
As India grapples with the consequences of its citizens being ensnared in conflicts far from home, the need for greater awareness, vigilance, and support mechanisms to protect vulnerable individuals remains paramount.
“It is our understanding that there are 20-odd people (Indians) who have gone their to work as support staff or as helpers with the Russian army,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a press conference on February 29.
“We are trying our level best for their early discharge,” he added.
Jaiswal emphasized that India maintains regular communication with Russian authorities, both in New Delhi and Moscow, to facilitate the safe return of Indian nationals.
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