Thrissur: In a tragic turn of events, a youth from Kuttanellur in Thrissur has been killed in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict while serving in a Russian mercenary unit. Binil Babu from Kuttanellur lost his life during the war, with the news confirmed by the NoRKA (Non-Resident Keralites Affairs Department) and communicated to the Thrissur district administration.

Along with Binil, another individual, Jain Kurien, who had gone to Russia for work, has reportedly been seriously injured in the conflict. The Indian Embassy has informed that Jain is currently receiving treatment in a hospital in Moscow.
Several months ago, another person from Thrissur, Sandeep Chandran (36) from Kallur Nayrangi, was killed in Ukraine in a shell attack while fighting alongside a Russian military unit.

Many young men are reportedly being lured into joining Russian mercenary units under the guise of lucrative salaries, with some falling victim to human trafficking syndicates. There have been allegations suggesting that the Russian military is aware of these human trafficking operations.

The youths are often given minimal training after their passports and mobile phones are confiscated, and then sent to the warzone alongside soldiers. It has been reported by injured Malayali youths that the camps where they are housed often lack basic necessities such as food and water.