Indian fighting for Russia killed in Ukraine war, deceased hailed from Kerala: Report

A man from Kerala recruited by the Russian military has died in the ongoing war on Ukraine, according to a report.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2024, it has recruited several thousands of fighters from foreign nations for the war on Ukraine. While there is no accurate assessment, several people from India have also been recruited — often through fraudulent ways.

In the latest case, The Indian Express has reported that Binil TB, a 32-year-old man from Kerala’s Thrissur, has died in Russian military’s employment.

The newspaper further reported that a relative, 27-year-old Jain TK, was injured in the incident that killed Binil.

A relative of Binil, Saneesh, told the newspaper that officials at the Indian embassy in Moscow verbally confirmed the death.

More from India

Earthquake of magnitude 5.9 jolts Assam, tremors felt in Bhutan and north Bengal 'First Assam visit after Op Sindoor': PM Modi inaugurates projects worth Rs 18,530 cr

Saneesh said, “Binil’s wife Joicy, who has been in touch with the Indian Embassy in Moscow, got the information. When she called officials, they verbally confirmed that Binil had died. The officials said they had information in this regard from the Russian Army.”

The family of Binil was reported as saying that he died in a drone attack.

Previously, the newspaper had reported that the two relatives, Binil and Jain, had been pleading to the Indian officials to arrange their return to India as they were exhausted mentally and physically. The newspaper reported that the two were among several Indians recruited purportedly for military support roles, such as that of an electrician or a book, but were instead deployed on the frontlines after their passports were taken away.

Impact Shorts

More Shorts

'New dawn': PM Modi meets Manipur violence victims in first visit since 2023 unrest

CP Radhakrishnan takes oath as Vice President of India

Last month, Binil told the newspaper, “Mentally and physically, we are exhausted. We are now in difficult terrain in the Russia-occupied territory of Ukraine. Our commander says that the contract was for a year. We have been pleading with local commanders for our release. The Indian Embassy is of the view that unless the Russian army relieves us, they cannot help. The Embassy says we should be taken back to Russian territory."

Ajith Kolassery, the head of NORKA ROOTS, the Kerala government’s agency for non-resident Keralites’ affairs, said it has not yet got a formal information of the incident from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

“We have heard about the incident. We are awaiting a final confirmation from the External Affairs Ministry. For the last couple of months, we had been trying to bring them back. We don’t know exactly how many from Kerala are still trapped in the Russian army. We come to know about the incident only when such people make distress calls,” said Ajith to the newspaper.

Russia has deployed as many as 55-60,000 foreign fighters in the war on Ukraine, according to various estimates. These fighters belong to various nationalities such as Indian, Nepali, Ghanian, Yemeni, etc. These fighters are often recruited via fraudulent ways where they are offered either non-combatant roles or outright civilian jobs for high salaries and promise of citizenship or permanent residency, but, once they arrive in Russia, their passports are snatched and they are thrown into the war zone.