Four Telangana men trapped in Russia war zone, say families

Four men from Telangana's Nizamabad and Kamareddy districts were allegedly duped by agents with promises of jobs in Russia but were later forced into military-related duties near the Russia-Ukraine warfront.

Hyderabad: Four persons from Nizamabad and Kamareddy districts of Telangana were misled by agents and ended up performing military duties at the warfront in Russia, their family members have claimed.

The family members of Bhukya Ravinder, Sirushu Ashok, Megavath Prakash and Mohammed Afzal Khan have submitted a representation at the ‘CM Prajavani’ (people’s grievance redressal programme) here, seeking Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s immediate intervention for their safe repatriation.

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Mandha Bheem Reddy, Vice Chairman of the Telangana Government’s NRI Advisory Committee, who received the representation, told PTI on Wednesday that it has been forwarded to the top state government officials for taking up the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs.

The family members said in their representation that the four persons travelled to Russia after being promised employment.

They initially worked in grass-cutting/gardening-related work. Though they reportedly worked for about five months, they were paid only for about two months and later became unemployed, they said.

Later, they were allegedly induced into Russian military-related duties with promises of citizenship and monetary benefits. They were also made to carry bombs and perform dangerous frontline duties and subjected to physical harassment, resulting in injuries, the family members claimed.

Their communication with families back home was very limited.

The stranded persons have informed their families that they have crossed into Ukraine.

The family members urged the chief minister to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs, Embassy of India, Moscow and the concerned Russian authorities for verification of their location, release from military-related work and safe repatriation to Telangana.

They also sought appropriate verification and action regarding the agents involved and the collection of money without following prescribed emigration safeguards.