The Indian embassy in Moscow on Wednesday confirmed that Mohammed Asfan, a 30-year-old man from Telangana, who was duped into joining Russia-Ukraine war, has died in the battle.
“We have learnt about the tragic death of an Indian national Shri Mohammed Asfan. We are in touch with the family and Russian authorities. Mission will make efforts to send his mortal remains to India,” the Indian Embassy posted on X.
Mohammed Asfan, 30, had gone to Russia in December last year. He was promised a job as a helper but was forced into Russian Army and sent to the Ukraine border to fight the war.
Asfan’s family has held agents of ‘Baba Vlogs’ responsible for his death and asked the Indian government to help bring his mortal remains back home.
Reacting to the news, former minister and BRS working president KT Rama Raon said, “This is truly sad and sickening. My wholehearted condolences and sympathies to the family of Mohammed Afsan who is from Hyderabad. Appeal to Union Govt to help such youngsters who’ve been duped and caught in this tragic situation by bringing them back.”
Hyderabad MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi had raised the issue of Indians youths stuck in Russia. Last month, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said that it was in touch with the Russian authorities and claimed that some of the Indian nationals have already been discharged.
“Each and every such case brought to the attention of the Indian Embassy in Moscow has been strongly taken up with the Russian authorities and those brought to the attention of the ministry have been taken up with the Russian Embassy in New Delhi. Several Indians have already been discharged as a result. We remain committed, as a matter of top priority, to actively pursuing with the Russian authorities all the relevant cases of Indian nationals for an early discharge from the Russian army,” the MEA said in statement on February 26.