Thrissur: A native of Thrissur, who was trapped in a Russian mercenary force since last June, passed away on Monday. Binil TB (32), a resident of Kuttanellur, succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained in a war zone.  The Indian Embassy has officially informed Binil's family of his death.

Meanwhile, another Malayali, Jain from Kuranchery in Thrissur, who was also part of the Russian mercenary force, has reached Moscow after being injured in the Ukraine conflict. Jain suffered injuries during a shelling attack in Ukraine and was hospitalised for treatment. He was transferred to a Moscow hospital two days ago and informed his family of his arrival via a WhatsApp call.

Binil, Jain and a few others had travelled to Russia through an agent based in Chalakudy. The group, originally recruited to work in a canteen, was caught in the war zone from June last year. They later recorded a video appealing for assistance to return home. Their companion, Sandeep, a native of Thrikkur, was also killed in the conflict. 

In response to the crisis, the head of the Orthodox Church, Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, had made an urgent appeal to Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov, calling for immediate intervention.