Russian missile kills Telangana worker in Ukraine

A migrant worker from Telangana's Jagtial district was killed in a Russian missile attack in Ukraine, as per reports, while another worker from the same district who was with him escaped unharmed.

Vavilala Sudarshan Goud, a resident of Husnabad village, had travelled to Ukraine around four months ago for construction work. His friend, from Tatipally village, had also travelled with him after securing a job with a construction company. According to local reports, the two workers ran in different directions after air-raid sirens sounded. A missile reportedly struck the direction in which Sudarshan fled, killing him instantly. His friend's name has not been disclosed.

Sudarshan had previously worked in Dubai before returning to Telangana. He later travelled to Ukraine on what was described as a company visa. The circumstances surrounding Sudarshan's death are still emerging. 
More details about the incident and arrangements to bring his body home are awaited.

A growing toll on Indians caught in the war

Sudarshan's reported death adds to a growing number of Indians killed in areas affected by the Russia-Ukraine war. However, there is no single official figure covering Indian civilians, migrant workers and those recruited into the Russian military.

In May, the Centre told the Supreme Court that 49 Indian nationals recruited into the Russian armed forces had died. The government said 139 had been released and six were confirmed missing at the time.
That figure does not include Indian civilians killed in Russian or Ukrainian attacks.

In July, four Indian sailors were killed after a cargo ship was struck by Russian missiles while leaving Ukraine's Odesa port. India subsequently summoned a senior Russian diplomat over the deaths. Telangana has also previously reported deaths involving Indians recruited into the Russian military. In March 2024, the Indian Embassy in Moscow confirmed the death of Hyderabad resident Mohammed Asfan, who had travelled to Russia after being promised employment and was subsequently sent to the war zone.

Workers increasingly exposed to the conflict

The latest case points to the risks faced by Indians travelling to Russia and Ukraine for employment as the war continues. Russia has also significantly increased recruitment of Indian workers amid a labour shortage. Reuters reported in February that Russia issued nearly 72,000 work permits to Indian nationals in 2025, compared with about 5,000 in 2021.

As more Indians take up work in the region despite the ongoing conflict, Sudarshan's death is a reminder that the war's toll extends well beyond the battlefield.