The Kerala Police have , including two claiming to be Russian citizens, in Thrissur district in connection with the alleged illegal recruitment of people from the state for the Russian military, The Indian Express reported on Sunday.

This came days after a man from Kerala was killed in Russia’s war on Ukraine.

The persons arrested in the matter were Sibi Ouseph, Sandeep Thomas and Sumesh Antony. The police said that Sibi and Sandeep claimed to have Russian citizenship.

They were arrested under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections pertaining to human trafficking by fraud or deception, unlawful compulsory labour against the will of a person, and cheating and fraud.

On January 14, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that 31-year-old Binil TB from Kuttanellur in Thrissur district, who was serving in the Russian military, .

Another person from Kerala, Jain TK, was injured and has been receiving treatment in a hospital in Moscow. Jain, 27, is reportedly Binil’s relative and was similarly recruited.

At least 12 Indian citizens serving in the Russian Army have been killed, the foreign ministry said on January 17. were still believed to be serving in the Russian military and the whereabouts of 16 of them were not known, the ministry said.

On Sunday, Thrissur City Police Commissioner Ilango R was quoted as...