THRISSUR: One of two youths from Thrissur district trapped in the Russia-Ukraine conflict zone ie believed to have been killed during a battle, according to a verbal message received by his family members from the Indian embassy in Russia.
Family sources said embassy officials confirmed to his wife Joicy, who had contacted them, that her husband Binil Babu (31), from Kuttanellur here, fell to bullets of Ukrainian forces.
However, neither family members nor Non-Resident Keralite Affairs department (NoRKA) officials have received any official communication. There is also no communication on when Babu was killed, where, and how.
Babu’s cousin Jain Kurien (27) of Kuranchery, near Wadakkanchery, the second youth trapped in Russia, also suffered injuries in the battle. Jain has sent a message to the family that he was subjected to surgery and shifted to Moscow. When contacted, NoRKA officials said embassy officials had not given any confirmation about Babu’s death despite repeated calls.
Babu, an electrician-cum-plumber, and Jain, an automobile mechanic, had gone to Russia on April 4 last year with the help of one of their relatives.
They were offered jobs in canteens by their agent, but that did not materialise. Eventually, they had to take Russian citizenship and join the Russian army.
On Dec 16 last year they sent a message to the family that they were being taken to the warfront and might not return, following which many interventions were made at various levels for their release.
The head of the Orthodox Syrian Church, Baselios Marthoma Mathews III Catholicos, took up the issue directly with the Russian ambassador to India.
There were reports of Babu’s death since Wednesday last week, but no official confirmation was forthcoming.
Reports of Babu’s death have sent shock waves in the family. His wife Joicy had delivered a baby about five months ago and Babu had not seen the baby.
