Indian Man Dies Fighting on Russia-Ukraine Frontlines; Had Pleaded for Return

A Kerala youth fighting in the Russian Army on the frontlines of the war with Ukraine has been killed, while his relative has sustained serious injuries, according to a report from The Indian Express.

The deceased has been identified as Binil T B, 32, from Wadakkanchery in Kerala’s Thrissur district. His relative, Jain T K, 27, also from the same region, was injured.

A few days ago, Binil’s family received a message that both men had been injured in a drone attack, but they could not establish contact with them.

Saneesh, a relative, 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.”

Ajith Kolassery, CEO of NORKA ROOTS, the state government agency for non-resident Keralites, said, “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.”

For months, Binil and Jain had been trying to return home. In a series of voice messages sent to The Indian Express last month, Binil revealed that they had been trying unsuccessfully to reach the Indian embassy in Moscow since September. In his final message, Binil mentioned being forced to move to the frontline, further endangering their lives.

“Mentally and physically, we are exhausted,” Binil, an electrician by trade, said. “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.”

This is the second death of a Keralite fighting for the Russian army after being recruited from India under the guise of military support jobs. Last August, Sandeep, a native of Thrissur, was killed in a drone attack.

Binil and Jain were among several Indian youths who traveled to Russia in April, hoping to secure jobs in the country’s military support services as electricians, cooks, plumbers, and drivers. Instead, they were forced to surrender their Indian passports, take permanent residence, be conscripted into the Russian army, and serve on the frontlines of the war.