New Delhi10 minutes ago
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External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal answering questions in the press brief.
The Indian Foreign Ministry gave a statement on Friday on the death of an Indian citizen in Russia. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that 12 Indian citizens serving in the Russian army have died. There are still 18 Indian citizens there, out of which the whereabouts of 16 people is not known. He said they are demanding the early release and repatriation of the survivors.
Recently, Binil Babu, an Indian citizen from Kerala, died on the frontline of the Russia-Ukraine war. He had been requesting to return back to India for several months. Binil Babu (32 years) was a resident of Wadakkanchery in Thrissur district of Kerala.
Randhir Jaiswal said that Binil Babu’s death is very sad. We have spoken to his family. We are in touch with the Russian authorities. We are trying to bring back the body of Binil Babu as soon as possible.
Binil Babu of Kerala, who was fighting on behalf of Russia, died.
126 cases of Indians fighting in Russia
Spokesman Jaiswal said another Indian, Jain T Kurien, was injured. They are relatives of Binil. At present he is undergoing treatment. The Indian Embassy is in touch with them. As soon as his health improves, the process of bringing him back to India will begin.
Spokesperson Jaiswal said India has strongly raised the matter with Russia and reiterated its demand for the immediate withdrawal of all Indians from the Russian army. He said that 126 cases of Indian citizens joining the Russian Army have been reported. Of these, 96 people have returned to India.
Went to Russia in search of work, sent to fight war Binil and Kurien had gone to Russia in search of jobs. They got caught in this war in June 2024. He was given the task of delivering food to Russian soldiers in Ukrainian territory and digging trenches. Later the Russian army sent both of them to the frontline in the war.
Binil Babu’s brother-in-law Sanish Scaria had called his home a month ago and said that he might not be able to call him again, because he was going to Ukrainian territory to fight the war. Before going to Russia, Binil Babu was working as an electrician and Kurian mechanic.
Both these young men were promised jobs in Poland by a relative, but later they learned that they had actually been given visas for Russia. He had spent huge amount for visa and ticket. So he had to go to Russia. When Binil Babu left for Russia, his wife was pregnant.