The Wadakkanchery police in Thrissur district arrested three individuals on Saturday, January 18, in connection with the alleged illegal recruitment of unemployed youths into the Russian Army. The accused—Sandeep Thomas, Sumesh Antony, and Sibi, all natives of Thrissur—were taken into custody following a detailed investigation. Police revealed that two of the accused claimed to hold Russian citizenship.
The trio has been charged under the Emigration Act, as well as for human trafficking and cheating. The arrests were made based on complaints filed by Joicy John, the wife of Binil T.B., who recently died while serving in the Russian Military Support Service, and Kurian, the father of Jain T.K., who was injured in a recent attack and is undergoing treatment in Moscow.
Binil Babu, a 31-year-old from Kuttanellur in Thrissur district, became the latest casualty of this illegal recruitment network. His death was confirmed by the Indian Embassy on January 13. Jain Kurian, Binil’s relative, survived the attack but remains hospitalized.
Both Binil and Jain were among a group of Keralites who traveled to Russia in April 2024, enticed by promises of lucrative jobs. Upon arrival, they were coerced into working in conflict zones as support staff for the Russian Army. Months earlier, the duo had recorded a video from a war zone, pleading for help to return to India.
The deaths and injuries linked to this illegal recruitment network are not isolated incidents. In August 2024, another Thrissur native, Sumesh Chandran, was killed in a drone attack. Many Indians recruited under similar circumstances have faced dangerous conditions, with some managing to return home by the end of 2024 with assistance from the Indian Embassy.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has revealed alarming statistics regarding Indians recruited into Russia’s armed forces. During a briefing on January 17, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal disclosed that 126 Indians were associated with the Russian military. Of these, 96 have returned to India, while 18 remain active in Russia, including 16 who are currently missing.