The Journey of an Indian Store Manager Who Met a Tragic End on the Ukrainian Battlefields Supporting Russia

They finally opened the box on a Sunday in late March. It was the first time they had seen Asfan Mohammed since he had left India for Russia four months ago.

He looked different from the last time they saw him. Instead of his casual attire, he was now dressed in a black suit, white shirt, tie, and shoes.

Imran Mohammad, 41, had to make arrangements for his 31-year-old brother to be buried according to their Muslim beliefs. This meant preparing his body, including removing the neat clothes. It was during this process that Imran saw the full extent of what had happened to his brother while he was fighting for the Russian armed forces in Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

Imran shared with CNN that he noticed holes on the back of the person's shoulder, running down his ribs to his lower back. He mentioned that there were six to seven holes from a drone attack that caused damage to the person's body, including internal injuries and two broken teeth.

And now, this close-knit family in Hyderabad, southern India was shattered. Their beloved husband, father, and provider had passed away. Imran’s business had also suffered, neglected as he poured all his efforts into uncovering the truth about his brother's fate in Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II.

Imran noted the time.

“I opened the box at 11 a.m. Sunday. When I saw his body for the first time, it hit me that he’s no more,” he said.

“My efforts to look for my brother, my two-month fight for my brother, came to a painful end. I wanted to react looking at his corpse, but I just couldn’t. I went totally numb.”

A dream lost

Asfan's life took an unexpected turn when Russian troops were sent into Ukraine by Putin in February 2022. His family never thought such a thing could happen to him.

Back then, Asfan was working as a store manager in India for Allen Solly, a popular clothing chain with nearly 300 stores. He sold a wide range of clothing items, from kids' clothes to wedding tuxedos.

He’d been there eight years, his brother said.

It wasn’t the worst job, but Asfan wanted more for his wife and two children, ages 2 and 8 months. And he dreamed of taking them out of Hyderabad.

Imran mentioned that Asfan wanted to work in Australia where his sister-in-law and her family resided. They had been urging him and his family to come over. However, this required Asfan to achieve a high score on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), which assesses the proficiency of non-native speakers.

“He wrote his IELTS. He didn’t do well,” Imran said. “He felt demotivated. He tried again.”

It didn’t work, Imran said.

Asfran Mohammad's remains are returned to India in March.

Asfran Mohammad's remains are returned to India in March.

Mohammed Imran

But videos on YouTube about job opportunities in Russia gave Asfan new hope, and he contacted an employment agency, his brother said.

Imran mentioned that he had plans to work as a taxi driver or delivery boy in Russia. He was in the process of making this happen.

After a few days, the agents informed him about available positions as a helper or security personnel in the Russian army. They assured him that these were great job opportunities. They also mentioned that he could obtain a Russian passport and national card within a year, which would allow him to travel to nearby countries easily.

Asfan thought that could be a stepping stone to his family’s dream life in Australia, his brother said.

Instead, his choice took him to the frigid, battle-scarred landscape of Ukraine.

Asfan didn't tell his family and friends about his plans until it was too late, Imran revealed. Imran only found out that his brother was leaving three days before he departed for Russia on November 9 last year.

Asfan had already given over $1,800 to the recruiters by then. They had told him not to tell anyone, not even his family, about his plans to travel. Imran shared, "They had manipulated him so badly... They threatened him with deportation from Russia, right at the airport. I did everything I could to prevent him from going."

After traveling through several Indian cities and the United Arab Emirates, Asfan finally reached Moscow on November 12th.

The next day, he signed some papers in Russian, a language he couldn't understand, that bound him to the job, as told by his brother.

“He trusted the agents a bit too much,” Imran said.

A Ukrainian soldier holds an artillery shell as he prepares to fire a howitzer towards Russian troops near the town of Kreminna, Ukraine March 4, 2024

A Ukrainian soldier holds an artillery shell as he prepares to fire a howitzer towards Russian troops near the town of Kreminna, Ukraine March 4, 2024

Inna Varenytsia/Reuters

Foreign fighters in Putin’s war

By some estimates, Russia has been sending thousands of foreign men to fight in Ukraine since Putin ordered the invasion.

Many young men from South Asia are attracted to Russia for the promise of stable jobs and higher pay. In Nepal, opposition lawmaker Bimala Rai Paudyal stated in parliament that around 14,000 to 15,000 Nepalis have been involved in frontline fighting in Ukraine, based on accounts from returning men.

Last year, the Russian government introduced an appealing offer for foreign fighters to join their military, including a monthly salary of at least $2,000 and a fast track to Russian citizenship. However, the exact number of foreigners recruited under this program by the Kremlin remains undisclosed.

New Delhi and Moscow have a long history of close relations, dating back to the Cold War. India has been careful not to openly criticize Russia's recent invasion, as Russia is India's largest source of arms.

Furthermore, India has emerged as a significant buyer of Russian energy, contributing to Moscow's economy by purchasing a record $37 billion worth of crude oil last year. This has been crucial for Russia, especially as its economy has been impacted by sanctions.

10- Ramchandra Khadka praying outside a temple in Kathmandu for his comrades fighting for Russia (Source: CNN)

10-Ramchandra Khadka praying outside a temple in Kathmandu for his comrades fighting for Russia (Source: CNN)

CNN

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Russia has enlisted approximately 15,000 Nepali individuals to join their military efforts. Unfortunately, many of these individuals came back home with severe emotional distress, while some did not return at all.

On the other hand, India does not have any regulations prohibiting its citizens from participating in another country's military. It has been confirmed that a certain number of Indian nationals have been involved in combat for Russia in Ukraine.

In February, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that helping Indian citizens leave the Russian military quickly was a top priority. They have been working closely with Russian authorities to achieve this goal, as reported by CNN last month.

Unfortunately, despite these efforts, it was revealed by a ministry spokesperson that at least two Indians have lost their lives in the conflict.

In early March, India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) announced that they had uncovered significant human trafficking networks. These networks were deceiving men into taking on Russian military positions, with 35 cases of this nature being discovered.

According to the CBI statement, Indian Nationals who were trafficked were being trained for combat roles and sent to front bases in the Russia-Ukraine War Zone against their will.

To the front line

Asfan didn’t tell his brother when he was going to be sent to Ukraine, Imran said, but he did get in contact on December 1, just as he was heading to the battlefield.

Asfan was seeking a way out, Imran said.

“He asked me to speak to the agents,” Imran said. “I did promise him that I’d try my best.”

It was the last time they spoke to each other.

“The military personnel were not in touch with these agents,” Imran said.

“These brokers duped the boys and put their lives in danger,” he said, referring to Asfan and other Indians sent to war.

Weeks of uncertainty, then disbelief

Imran received a voice message on January 23 from an Indian man who was serving with Asfan. The man mentioned that he had been hurt in a battle. He informed Imran that he had discovered Asfan, who was also injured, in a house in Ukraine the day before.

Imran shared that the man mentioned he couldn't retrieve his brother due to drones in the area. However, he did manage to inform a Russian medical team about Asfan's condition. Ukrainian forces have been using modified commercial drones to target their Russian enemies on the frontlines. These drones have been causing significant damage by dropping grenades from above or by being used as remote controlled explosives.

Imran shared that he went to his member of parliament two days later in hopes of getting Indian officials to assist his injured brother. However, he mentioned that his requests to the government were left unanswered. Eventually, the Indian Embassy in Moscow responded, stating that they were investigating the situation.

On a March 6 visit to his MP’s office, Imran got the news he had dreaded.

Asfran Mohammed, right, and his brother Imran are pictured with Asran's children before Asfran left for Russia.

Asfran Mohammed, right, and his brother Imran are pictured with Asran's children before Asfran left for Russia.

Mohammed Imran

He said that when he called the emergency number at the Indian Embassy in Moscow, they immediately informed him that Asfan was dead. He mentioned that he couldn't find the strength to have a conversation with them. He also mentioned that he was struggling to accept the news.

He still didn't have any visual evidence of Asfan's death, but he needed to share the information he had with the rest of the family.

According to Imran, Asfan's wife was unconscious for three hours and cried all night.

Asfan’s family has laid him to rest, but they are still haunted by a distant war.

Imran expresses sorrow when he sees his brother’s young children, who will never get to know their father. He also admits feeling unsure about his own future.

"It has been going on for four months now, non-stop," he shared. "This has been the most challenging period of my life. I no longer have any personal time or friendships; all I do is take care of my family."

Sadly, one of them, his brother, is no longer with us.

Editor's P/S:

The article paints a heart-wrenching portrayal of the devastating impact of war, exposing the deceit and exploitation that lure individuals into dangerous conflicts. Asfan Mohammed's story epitomizes the tragic consequences of false promises and the shattered dreams of those who seek a better life. The involvement of foreign fighters, including Indians, in the Ukrainian conflict highlights the need for greater regulation and awareness to prevent vulnerable individuals from being manipulated by unscrupulous recruiters.

The article also underscores the challenges faced by families left behind. Imran Mohammed's relentless efforts to uncover the truth about his brother's fate and provide closure for his family are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable loss. The article serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating human toll of war, not only on the battlefield but also on those who remain behind. It is a call for accountability and a condemnation of the exploitation of vulnerable individuals who are lured into conflicts that shatter lives and leave behind a trail of grief and uncertainty.