Amid the war in Ukraine, another Indian death has been reported. As per local reports, Binil TB, a native of Kerala reportedly succumbed to gunshot wounds in the war zone. While a public statement from the Indian Embassy in Moscow and the Ministry of External Affairs is awaited, the family has been informed of Binil's death by embassy officials, reported Manorama.
As per the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs Department (NoRKA), Binil died in combat while fighting on the frontlines of the war. The Kerala man was a mechanical diploma holder and had travelled to Russia in April 2024.
The Ministry of External Affairs responded to the media queries about te same. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared a notification on X which read: "We have learnt of the unfortunate death of an Indian national from Kerala, who had apparently been recruited to serve in the Russian Army, Another Indian national from Kerala, who was similarly recruited, has been injured and is receiving treatment in a hospital in Moscow.
Jaiswal shared that the Indian embassy in Moscow is in touch with the families of the two Indians and all possible assistance is being extended.
Along with Binil, another Kerala native has been injured due to the fighting in the Ukraine conflict. As per Manorama, both Jain and Binil had sought to be rescued after they were recruited by the Russian Mercenary force.
Reports state that the two Kerala men and a few others travelled to Russia through an agent based in Chalakudy in hopes of being employed in Russia's military support service as cooks, electricians, etc.
In a viral video in 2024, a group of Indian men sought help from the Indian government and said that they had been recruited by the Russian military under false context and were being made to fight at the frontlines.
Last year in August, Sandeep, a native from Thrissur, was confirmed to have been killed in the war.
Following this video, the Indian government stated it is engaged in talks with Russia to release Indians who have been drafted into the military and sought their safe return to New Delhi.
A similar request was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russian President Vladimir Putin during his state visit to Moscow in 2024.
