By R. Rakendu
Binil T Babu was a 32-year-old Indian from the state of Kerala. He along with his cousin-in-law Jain Kurian were offered electrician jobs in Russia by an agency. Both of them were ITI Diploma holders. As they reached the country, the agency took them to the war zone and forcefully made them join Russian soldiers to fight the war against Ukraine. They have been stuck there since April 4, 2024.
Both the men are from Wadakkanchery in Thrissur district of Kerala. They were able to contact their families once in a while. Last time when Binil called his wife, he informed her that both of them were injured from a drone attack. As she could not connect with him again, she connected with The Indian Embassy at Moscow. According to the officials there, they received information regarding his death from the Russian Army. Binil’s Wife, Joicy only got a verbal confirmation regarding her husband’s death.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) demanded for the safe return of Indians who had to unwillingly and illegally join the Russian mercenary. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “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.”
On 14th December, 2024, Binil and Jain together recorded a video saying that they are still working with the Russian Army in the war frontlines and that this might be the last message that their families will receive from them. They stated that they called and pleaded to the Indian Embassy for help and requested the authorities to rescue them. Binil’s brother, Libin said to Republic TV that on 3rd January, 2025, he got a WhatsApp message from Binil saying that they are taking him to the war front, and this might be his last word. 63 Indians are still suffering in the war zone, fighting in the front-line. Eight of them has been reported dead.