Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal answers questions at the press briefing.
The Indian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Friday on the death of an Indian citizen in Russia. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said 12 Indian citizens serving in the Russian army had died. There are 18 Indian nationals, out of which the details of 16 people are not known. He said they were demanding the rapid release and repatriation of survivors.
Recently, Binil Babu, an Indian citizen from Kerala, died on the frontline of the war between Russia and Ukraine. He had been asking to return to India for several months. Binil Babu (32) was a resident of Wadakkanchery in Thrissur district of Kerala.
Randhir Jaiswal said Binil Babu’s death was very sad. We spoke to his family. We are in contact with the Russian authorities. We are trying to bring back Binil Babu’s body as quickly as possible.
Kerala’s Binil Babu, who fought on behalf of Russia, has died.
126 cases of Indians fighting in Russia
Spokesman Jaiswal said another Indian, Jain T Kurien, was injured. They are Binil’s parents. He is currently undergoing treatment. The Indian embassy is in contact with them. As soon as his health improves, the process of returning to India will begin.
Spokesperson Jaiswal said India had strongly raised the issue with Russia and reiterated its demand for immediate withdrawal of all Indians from the Russian army. He said 126 cases of Indian citizens joining the Russian army had been reported. Among them, 96 people returned to India.
Left for Russia in search of work, sent to fight Binil and Kurien had left for Russia in search of work. They were caught up in this war in June 2024. They were tasked with delivering food to Russian soldiers in Ukrainian territory and digging trenches. Later, the Russian army sent them both to the front line of the war.
Binil Babu’s brother-in-law Sanish Scaria had called his house a month ago and told him that he might not be able to call him again as he was going to Ukrainian territory to wage war. Before moving to Russia, Binil Babu worked as a Kurian electrician and mechanic.
These two young men were promised jobs in Poland by a relative, but later learned that they had in fact been granted visas to Russia. He had spent a lot of money on the visa and the ticket. So he had to go to Russia. When Binil Babu left for Russia, his wife was pregnant.