'We offer our deepest condolences': MEA on Kerala man's death in Russian army's service

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has acknowledged the death of an Indian national in Kerala.

Earlier this week, the family of a 32-year-old man from Kerala, Binil TB, said they had learnt of his death from Indian officials at the embassy in Moscow.

They said that Binil died in a drone attack while he was in the employment of Russian army in the war with Ukraine.

Acknowledging the death, the MEA in a statement on Tuesday said that the government is aware of “unfortunate death of an Indian national from Kerala who had apparently been recruited to serve in the Russian Army”.

Regarding a relative injured in the same attack, 27-year-old Jain TK, the MEA said, “Another Indian national from Kerala, who was similarly recruited, has been injured and is receiving treatment in a hospital in Moscow.”

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The MEA said that the officials were working to facilitate the return of the deceased’s remains. It also said that officials were facilitating the early discharge of the injured relative.

“We offer our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. Our Embassy in Moscow is in touch with the families and all possible assistance is being rendered. We are working with the Russian authorities for early transportation of the mortal remains to India. We have also sought the early discharge and repatriation to India of the injured person,” said the MEA.

As for Russia employing Indians in its war on Ukraine, the MEA said that the subject has been raised with the Russian government.

“The matter has been strongly taken up with the Russian authorities in Moscow as well as with the Russian Embassy in New Delhi today. We have also reiterated our demand for the early discharge of the remaining Indian nationals,” said the MEA.

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Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2024, it has been learnt that Russia has recruited several Indians —often through fraudulent ways— to fight in the war. The Indians are among several thousands of foreign fighters that Russia has roped in to fight its war. Estimates say that Russia could be employing as many as 55-60,000 foreign fighters in the war on Ukraine from many nations, such as India, Nepal, Ghana, Yemen, Cuba, North Korea, etc.

In the case of Binil and Jain, their relative Saneesh told The Indian Express that officials at the Indian embassy in Moscow verbally confirmed the death.

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.”