A family in Telangana is waiting anxiously for answers after receiving a message claiming that their 43-year-old relative, who travelled to Russia in search of employment, had died near the Russia-Ukraine border. With no official confirmation of his death, his family has appealed to the Indian government to establish his whereabouts and bring his mortal remains home if the report is true.
Mohammed Afzal Khan, a resident of Tadkol village in Telangana’s Kamareddy district, travelled to Russia on February 15, 2026, reportedly after being promised civilian employment. His family alleged that he was offered work involving gardening and other jobs but was subsequently recruited into the Russian military and deployed near the war zone.
The family’s fears grew after receiving a voice message from Sirshu Ashok, another man from the region who had travelled to Russia. Ashok reportedly told his wife that Afzal had died near the Russia-Ukraine border last week. The message was subsequently relayed to Afzal’s family, leaving them seeking official confirmation of the report.
FAMILY SEEKS GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION
Afzal’s father, Abbas Khan, has appealed to the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Moscow to trace his son and clarify whether he is dead or alive.
According to the family, the Indian Embassy in Moscow has said it has not received confirmation from Russian authorities regarding Afzal’s whereabouts or reported death. The family has urged the Centre to intervene urgently and facilitate the return of his mortal remains if his death is confirmed.
Until the authorities establish what happened to Afzal, his family remains uncertain about his fate.
THREE OTHER MEN ALSO TRAVELLED TO RUSSIA
Afzal was among four men from the erstwhile Nizamabad district who travelled to Russia after reportedly being promised employment. The others were Sirshu Ashok, Bhukya Ravinder and Megavath Prakash.
Their families alleged that the men were initially assigned gardening and grass-cutting work before being drawn into military duties.
Meanwhile, the families of the other three men are also seeking government intervention to ensure their safe return to India.
Afzal’s reported death remains officially unconfirmed, and his family continues to await a response from the authorities.
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