Four Telangana Men Allegedly Trapped in Russian Army, Families Seek Repatriation

Families of four men from Nizamabad and Kamareddy districts have alleged that their relatives were deceived by agents and ended up performing military duties in Russia, putting their lives at serious risk amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Seeking their safe return, the families appealed to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to intervene and facilitate their repatriation.

The affected individuals have been identified as Bhukya Ravinder, Sirushu Ashok, Megavath Prakash and Mohammed Afzal Khan. Their families submitted a representation at the CM Prajavani programme in Hyderabad, urging the state government to coordinate with the Centre and Russian authorities to bring them back safely.

The representation was received by Manda Bheem Reddy, Vice-Chairman of the Telangana Government’s NRI Advisory Committee. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, he said he had written to senior state government officials, requesting them to take up the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and explore immediate measures to secure the men’s release.

According to the families, the four men travelled to Russia after agents promised them employment. They were initially employed in grass-cutting and gardening-related work and remained there for nearly five months. However, they were allegedly paid wages for only two months. With their employment subsequently ending, the men were left without jobs, the families said.

The families alleged that the men were later offered Russian citizenship and substantial financial benefits, following which they were allegedly compelled to join the Russian military. They claimed the four were assigned hazardous duties in areas close to the Russia-Ukraine border, including transporting bombs and other dangerous materials.

The families further alleged that the men were subjected to physical abuse, resulting in serious injuries. Their concerns have intensified after they reportedly received information that the four men had crossed into Ukrainian territory while carrying out military-related duties.

The families urged the Chief Minister to coordinate with the MEA, the Indian Embassy in Moscow and Russian authorities to secure their release from military service and ensure their safe return to Telangana.

They also demanded strict action against the agents who allegedly collected money from the families by promising jobs abroad without following proper migration procedures. The families called for an investigation into the recruitment process and action against those responsible for allegedly misleading and exploiting the four men.