Hyderabad Man Killed Fighting For Russia, Was Duped to Join the War

Hyderabad: A 30-year-old youth from Hyderabad, Mohammed Asfan, was killed fighting for Russia in the war against Ukraine. Some months back he was duped into joining Russia’s war against Ukraine, the Indian Embassy in Moscow said on Wednesday.

According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, around 20 Indian nationals are working as support staff to the Russian army.

Speaking to NDTV, Asfan’s family said, he along with two others reached Russia in November 2023, after getting promises of jobs as helpers in Russian government offices. Asfan last spoke with his family on December 31, 2023.

“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 embassy said in a post on X.

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.@MEAIndia

— India in Russia (@IndEmbMoscow) March 6, 2024

While in Hyderabad, Asfan worked in a cloth showroom. He was allegedly cheated by a Dubai-based agent who runs a YouTube channel called ‘Baba Vlogs’. The agent promised high-paying jobs as security guards in Russia and took Rs 3 lakh from him.

After reaching Moscow, Asfan and others realized that they were recruited as “helpers” in the Russian army.

Asfan’s family was first informed about his death by AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi.