Telangana CM sanctions Rs 6 lakh to repatriate man killed in Russia-Ukraine war

HYDERABAD— Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has sanctioned financial assistance of Rs 6 lakh to facilitate the repatriation of the mortal remains of Vavilala Sudarshan Goud, a resident of Jagtial district who was killed in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Sudarshan Goud, a resident of Hasanabad village in Jagtial district, was killed in a drone attack on September 1, according to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). He had travelled to Ukraine about four months earlier in search of employment.

The Chief Minister expressed profound shock and grief over his death and assured the bereaved family that the state government would stand by them during the difficult time.

The decision to extend financial assistance followed an appeal by Sudarshan Goud’s wife, Vailala Bhargavi, who submitted a representation during the state government’s Praja Vani public grievance programme, seeking Rs 6 lakh to bring her husband’s mortal remains back to India so that his final rites could be performed with dignity and in accordance with their traditions.

Minister for Development of Scheduled Castes Adluri Lakshman Kumar brought the matter to the Chief Minister’s attention. Following the appeal, Revanth Reddy directed officials to sanction Rs 6 lakh as ex-gratia assistance to Bhargavi from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

Officials have issued orders for the release of the financial assistance and have also been instructed to take the necessary steps to repatriate Sudarshan Goud’s mortal remains to India, according to a note from the Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Minister.

Another Telangana man feared dead

Meanwhile, another man from Telangana is feared to have died in the Russia-Ukraine war, prompting his family to seek urgent intervention from the Ministry of External Affairs to establish his whereabouts.

Mohammed Afzal Khan, 43, a resident of Banswada in Kamareddy district, travelled to Russia in February 2026 after allegedly being promised a civilian job in the oil industry. His family has since received a voice message claiming that he died while fighting for Russia near the Russia-Ukraine border.

Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) leader Amjed Ullah Khan, who met Afzal Khan’s family members, appealed to the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Moscow to urgently contact Russian authorities and verify the information.

“I request the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Moscow to urgently contact Russian authorities, verify the facts and inform the family. If confirmed, please facilitate the repatriation of his mortal remains. This family deserves answers, compassion and urgent diplomatic intervention,” Amjed Ullah Khan said.

The family is awaiting official confirmation of Afzal Khan’s fate and has sought assistance in securing information about his whereabouts.

The two cases have renewed attention on the plight of Indians who travel abroad in search of employment and subsequently become caught up in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In Afzal Khan’s case, the circumstances of his reported death remain unverified, and his family is seeking confirmation through diplomatic channels. (Source: IANS)