Thrissur, January 13: In a tragic incident, a Thrissur native identified as Binil Babu lost his life on the battlefield in Ukraine after falling into the hands of a Russian mercenary group. The most heartbreaking part of his story is that he passed away without ever being able to see his infant son, who was born just four months ago.
About The Journey That Turned Tragic
Binil, who was an electrician by profession, had previously worked in Oman. However, due to salary delays and other issues, he returned to his hometown in Kerala a few months ago, ending his life as an expatriate. While searching for better job opportunities, Binil and his relative Jain were misled by a distant relative who promised them employment in Poland.
The duo arrived in Russia on April 4, believing they were on their way to secure jobs in Poland. Only when the visa procedures were almost completed did they realise that their employment would be in Russia and not in Poland.
Forced into Mercenary Work
Once in Russia, Binil and Jain were handed over to a mercenary group. Initially, they were given training and later assigned tasks such as delivering food to the battlefield and constructing trenches.
According to Jain, the next stage of their assignment involved direct deployment to the battlefield. As per reports, in their last conversation, Jain mentioned that he might not be able to contact anyone again.
Tragic End on the Battlefield
Binil sustained injuries in a shell attack in Ukraine, leading to his death on the battlefield. He was the son of Babu and Laisa who are the residents of Tholath House in Kuttanellur which is located in Thrissur. Efforts were being made to bring Binil and Jain back to India when the devastating news of Binil’s death reached his family.
Family in Deep Sorrow
Binil’s family and people from their locality are in deep sorrow. His wife and newborn son, who never got the chance to meet him, are left to grapple with this unbearable loss.
Ongoing Efforts
Authorities and relatives are continuing their efforts to bring Jain back home safely. Meanwhile, the family and friends of Binil mourn the loss of a man who sought a better future for his loved ones but met with a tragic end far from home. He was tragically killed in a battle which is not being fought on his homeland.
Second Kerala Man Killed
This is the second death reported of a Kerala man who died while fighting for the Russian Army in Ukraine. In August 2023, man named Sandeep who was also a resident of Thrissur was killed while fighting along with the Russian Army in Ukraine. There are also reports that many more Indians have been brought in April and are forced to fight for the Russian Army in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
