Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Infrastructure Kill Foreign Migrant Workers

Ukrainian drone and missile strikes targeting oil refineries and e-commerce warehouses deep inside Russia have caused casualties among foreign migrant workers. These workers, primarily from India, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, were recruited to address a severe labor shortage resulting from Russia's demographic crisis and the exodus of citizens following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Reported casualties include an Indian steel fitter killed at a refinery in southern Moscow and several citizens of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan killed during an August attack in the Tatarstan region. North Korean women have also been identified working at Wildberries warehouses, which have faced regular evacuations due to strikes. In Sofino, a warehouse strike resulted in the deaths of Tajik migrants.

Ukraine has paused refinery strikes for two days following pressure from President Donald Trump. However, the Ukrainian government maintains that a full cease-fire requires Russia to stop attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure. In response to the risks facing its citizens, the Government of India issued an advisory on September 30 warning against recruitment into the Russian military.