A cruel twist of fate claimed the life of Kerala’s Binil Babu, who was misled into joining a Russian mercenary group after being promised a job in Poland. Far from home and unaware of the horrors that awaited, Binil’s story ended tragically on the battlefields of Ukraine. His death leaves behind a grieving wife, a newborn son, and a devastated community.
BY PC Bureau
In a heart-wrenching incident, 33-year-old Binil Babu, a native of Thrissur in Kerala, lost his life on the battlefield in Ukraine. Binil’s tragic story is marked by his sacrifice and a cruel twist of fate—he passed away without ever meeting his four-month-old son, born shortly before his untimely demise.
Binil, an electrician by trade, had worked in Oman but returned to Kerala due to salary issues and delays. Determined to secure a better future for his family, he explored overseas opportunities. A distant relative misled Binil and his cousin Jain, promising jobs in Poland. However, the pair discovered only after reaching Russia on April 4 that they would not be working in Poland as promised.
Despite their objections, they were handed over to a Russian mercenary group. They underwent training and were initially assigned non-combat roles such as delivering supplies and constructing trenches. However, as tensions escalated, they were deployed directly to the battlefield. In their final communication, Jain warned family members that further contact might not be possible.
An Indian man (Binil Babu) fighting for Russia on Ukraine frontlines dies .🙏 pic.twitter.com/F05Blkd9dp
— GlobalStrat Insight (@YashBarapatre6) January 13, 2025
Tragic Death on the Battlefield
Binil sustained fatal injuries during a shell attack in Ukraine, leading to his death. His family, including parents Babu and Laisa, residing in Tholath House in Kuttanellur, Thrissur, were devastated by the news. Efforts to bring both Binil and Jain back to India were underway when the family received the tragic confirmation of Binil’s passing.
This marks the second death of a Kerala native fighting for Russian forces in Ukraine. In August 2023, another Thrissur resident, Sandeep, lost his life in similar circumstances. Reports suggest a troubling pattern of Indians being misled into such situations, with many forced to join the Russian Army.
Grieving Family and Community
The sorrow in Binil’s community is palpable. His wife and infant son are left with the unimaginable loss of a husband and father who sought to provide them with a better life. Local authorities and relatives continue to work towards ensuring Jain’s safe return, even as the community mourns the loss of another young life claimed by a foreign conflict.
Binil’s story is a tragic reminder of the human cost of global conflicts, especially for those who find themselves ensnared far from home.
