Indians killed in Ukraine were forced to fight for Russia, families say

Hemil Mangukiya, middle, poses for a photograph with two other men in military uniform, in this undated handout picture. Hemil Mangukiya Family/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - When Mohammed Asfan from India's Hyderabad city travelled to Russia to work as a "helper" in the army, his family never imagined he would end up fighting in the Ukraine war, much less die there.

Asfan is among several Indian men who, their relatives say, were lured to Russia with the temptation of lucrative job opportunities, only to be forced to fight at the front against their will.