Kerala man trapped in Russia-Ukraine conflict zone returns home

Thiruvananthapuram: A Keralite, who was trapped in the Russian mercenary over the last one year, finally managed to return home on Thursday.

Thrissur native Jain Kurian, 27, who was recovering at a hospital in Moscow after he got injured at the Russia-Ukraine warzone in January, had sent a SOS message a few days back expressing fears that he could be taken back to the war zone again. However, by Wednesday Kurian managed to return home with the help of Malayali associations in Russia.

Kurian told reporters that he never expected that he would be able to reunite with his family. The Russian military had asked him to go to the camp. But with the help of Malayali associations he managed to return.

Kurian's relative Binil Babu, 32, hailing from Thrissur, was reported killed in the Russia-Ukraine warzone on January 4. However, even his mortal remains were not handed over yet to the relatives despite several pleas.

Kurian and Binil had gone to Russia in April last year after a recruiting agent offered an attractive job in Russia. Later, they were forced to join the Russian mercenary and were subsequently forcefully taken to the war zone. Binil and another Keralite Sandeep were also killed.