Indian killed in Russia after being duped into fighting Ukraine war

In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Moscow Wednesday confirmed the death of Mohammed Asfan, who hails from Hyderabad.

However, the embassy has not stated the cause or the purpose of Asfan's stay in Russia.

"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 the post.

The family of Afsan, who is among nearly two dozen Indians who were taken to Russia on the pretext of being given high-paying jobs, said they were informed about his death by AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi.

Owaisi was among the first to highlight the issue last month.

On Feb 21, the AIMIM leader had said he had written to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar about men from states like Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttar Pradesh who were duped and forced to take part in Russia's war against Ukraine.

On Feb 29, the Ministry of External Affairs said that at least 20 Indians trapped in Russia had contacted Indian authorities and that the government was doing its best to bring them back.