The mortal remains of 41-year-old Kanhaiya Yadav arrived in his village on May 31—six months after he died fighting during the Russia–Ukraine conflict.

Yadav traveled to Russia in January on a work visa to serve as a cook but was reportedly enlisted into the Russian army upon arrival. He was injured fighting and died on June 17 while receiving hospital treatment, the Indian embassy in Moscow informed his family on December 6.

His casket was received by local officials at Varanasi’s Babatpur Airport and carried to Bankata village in Azamgarh district. Family members and villagers paid their respects during the somber arrival.

Yadav is survived by his wife Geeta and two sons, Ajay (21) and Vijay (19). Ajay revealed that his last message from his father came on May 25, and that the Russian government had approved ₹30 lakh in compensation—although the family has yet to receive it.

Yadav’s tragic story echoes similar cases of Indian nationals allegedly recruited—sometimes against their will—into Russian military ranks, often lured with promises of conventional employment. In one case, a Haryana man’s body was repatriated after seven months in April 2025, and at least two other Indians have died on the battlefield.

The Ministry of External Affairs is reportedly investigating recruitment agents and working to trace other Indian nationals believed to be fighting in Russia. Families continue to urge the government to expedite repatriations and hold traffickers accountable.

By Staff Writer, Courtesy of Forbes | May 31, 2025 | Edited for WTFwire.com
Sources: Business-Standard, Times of India.