Who was Binil TB, Kerala man who died fighting in Russia-Ukraine war?

An Indian man, who was serving in the Russian mercenary unit, died on the frontlines following a drone strike.

The man, identified as Binil TB, was originally from Kerala.

His relative, Jain TK, also from the same area, was severely injured in the attack.

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The Indian embassy notified his family of his death on Monday.

Who was Binil TB?

1. Binil TB , who was 32, and 27-year-old Jain Kurian, found themselves trapped in a war zone since June 2024. They were allegedly recruited illegally by a Russian mercenary group after being promised electrician jobs by a recruitment agency that brought them to Russia.

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2. Binil hailed from Wadakkanchery in Kerala’s Thrissur district.

3. He died in combat while fighting on the frontlines of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, according to the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs Department (NoRKA).

4. Binil, a mechanical diploma holder, had travelled to Russia on April 4, planning to work as an electrician. However, upon arrival, their passports were confiscated, and they were later sent to the war zone as part of the Russian Military Support Service, his family members claimed.

5. Stranded in a war-torn part of Ukraine now under Russian control, Binil and Jain lost their mobile phones and other belongings, which worsened their situation. They had been contacting authorities for assistance in returning home, their relatives claimed.

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6. The two men travelled to Russia on private visas arranged by a relative already serving in the Russian military. However, this relative was discharged earlier this year, along with several other Indians, after the Indian government intervened with Russian authorities.

7. Binil had informed his family that he and Jain had been deployed to active frontline duties in the ongoing conflict.

8. At first, their responsibilities involved distributing food and supplies to soldiers stationed at the war front. But by December, due to a lack of personnel, they were provided with weapons, given minimal training, and sent to fight on the frontline, as per a report by Hindustan Times.

9. Binil’s wife, Joicy John, shared that he could only contact his family once a week, usually on Saturdays. During one such call, he informed them about the death of his companion, Sandeep, another Thrissur native, who had died in a drone strike while delivering food to soldiers in the war zone.

10. Several Indians were reportedly deceived by agents offering high-paying jobs or Russian citizenship, only to be forced into serving in the Russian military. In May last year, police arrested four individuals allegedly linked to a trafficking network that lured young men to Russia with false promises of jobs or education, later forcing them into participating in the war in Ukraine.

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Binil TB’s family: What we know about wife Joicy John and son

Joicy, a resident of Kurancheri near Wadakkanchery, was overwhelmed with anxiety since receiving Binil’s last audio message in December.

Speaking to PTI that month, she revealed that Binil’s final message indicated they had been ordered to move to the war front.

“I have lost all peace of mind as it has been seven months since they left,” said Joicy, a nurse at a private medical college in Thrissur who is currently on maternity leave.

Jain, whose house is close to Joicy’s, is also her cousin.

“Until June, we were in regular contact with Binil. After that, we didn’t hear anything from him. We assumed he was undergoing training and unable to use his mobile phone. It was only later that we learned they had lost everything,” she added.

She said that approximately 45 Indians have been discharged so far. While some have returned to India, others are still waiting for their paperwork to be finalised.

“Of those who left with them, three individuals from Kollam, Ernakulam, and Thrissur have recently returned to Kerala,” Joicy added.

In an emotional voice message last month, Binil said, “The situation has worsened, and we have been told to go to the war front today. They instructed us to send a message home before leaving. Please inform everyone else.”

India’s stance on Russia-Ukraine war

In August last year, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Randhir Jaiswal, stated that India supports any practical and mutually acceptable resolution or format that could restore peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

During a briefing, Jaiswal said, “The decision as to when and how to commence peace talks is the prerogative of the two parties to the conflict. As friends and partners, we would support any feasible and mutually acceptable solution or format that could restore peace…”

Responding to a query about Indians trapped in the Russian army during the briefing, Jaiswal informed that 15 people had been released and safely returned to India. He added that the Indian Embassy remains in regular contact with Russian authorities to assist those who wish to come back.

“We have an update as of now, as of today we have 15 Indians who have been released and they have returned to India, there are others who are waiting for discharge. Our mission, our embassy, is in touch with Russian authorities, and we hope that those who want to return back to India will be released soon,” he explained.

He also reiterated India’s long-standing stance of promoting constructive, solution-focused, and practical engagement with all parties involved to secure a negotiated resolution to the conflict.

With inputs from agencies