Russian strike kills 26-year-old Kerala merchant navy man off Ukraine coast NEW DELHI: A 26-year-old man from Kerala working in the merchant navy was killed after the cargo vessel he was serving on allegedly came under a Russian strike off the Ukrainian coast, people close to his family said on Monday. His death came just two months before he was due to get married.The deceased, Akhil Joyan, was the only son of Joyan and Sally, residents of Vellarikkundu in Kerala’s Kasaragod district.Shobi Joseph, ward member of Vellarikkundu in Balal grama panchayat, told PTI that the family received an email from the shipping company informing them of Akhil’s death on Monday evening.”We are trying to gather more details and complete the necessary formalities. He joined the merchant navy at the age of 19,” Joseph said.According to Joseph, Akhil had returned to his hometown around three months ago for his engagement ceremony.”His marriage was scheduled to take place two months from now. The bride is from Alappuzha district. He returned to work a month back,” he said.Joseph described Akhil as a well-known and respected figure in the locality, who was also a popular tug-of-war player.”He was known as a well-behaved and disciplined youngster,” he said.He added that Akhil’s father worked at an electrical shop while his mother was an insurance agent.”They are an ordinary family, and their future depended largely on Akhil. They had recently constructed a house,” Joseph said.The family is now in touch with the local MP and MLA to seek assistance in bringing Akhil’s body back to India and completing other formalities.According to foreign media reports, Ukraine’s Sea Ports Authority said a cargo vessel flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau was hit by Russian forces on Sunday shortly after leaving the port of Odesa. The vessel, carrying Ukrainian corn, was reportedly struck while at sea. The authority said eight people were rescued from the ship.India strongly condemned the attack, saying that targeting commercial shipping, endangering the lives of civilian crew members, or impeding freedom of navigation and commerce is deplorable and must be avoided.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Condemns Russian Missile Strike On Cargo Ship After Four Indian Seafarers KilledNTA Calls Viral NEET-UG OMR Sheets Fake, Warns Of Strict Legal ActionProtesters React As CJP’s ‘Chalo Sansad’ March Draws Thousands | Jantar Mantar’Women Were Beaten Like Animals’: CJP Protesters After ‘Lathi-Charge’ By RAF, Delhi PoliceCJP Claims Wangchuk’s Wife Assaulted; Amit Shah Meets Dharmendra Pradhan Amid CJP Sansad MarchJP Nadda To Meet CJP Leaders As Centre Initiates Dialogue Amid Parliament MarchSonam Wangchuk’s Latest Hunger Strike Note Shifts Focus To Accountability, Parliament AssuranceDelhi Metro Closes Five Stations, Police Block CJP’s Parliament March Amid Massive SecurityCentre To Introduce Bill Making Insult To Vande Mataram A Criminal OffenceDelhi Police Warns Against CJP’s Parliament March; Says No Permission Granted, Legal Action Likely123PhotostoriesThe ‘luckiest garden’: Woman discovers dozens of rare clovers, including seven-leaf wonders, found in a single backyardSitarist Rishab Sharma’s Rs 35.8 lakh ‘Ram Janmabhoomi’ watch quietly stole the spotlight from Ranbir Kapoor at the ‘Ramayan’ event in DelhiFrom having no work for three years after quitting Sasural Simar Ka to wife Dipika Kakar supporting him financially; When Shoaib Ibrahim spoke about his struggles, career and lifeThere are four strains of dengue, and recovering from one doesn’t protect you from the others: Is a single vaccine enough?Weekly Tarot Predictions from July 20 to July 26, 2026 for your birth dateLoved ‘The Odyssey’? 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NEW DELHI: A 26-year-old man from Kerala working in the merchant navy was killed after the cargo vessel he was serving on allegedly came under a Russian strike off the Ukrainian coast, people close to his family said on Monday. His death came just two months before he was due to get married.The deceased, Akhil Joyan, was the only son of Joyan and Sally, residents of Vellarikkundu in Kerala’s Kasaragod district.Shobi Joseph, ward member of Vellarikkundu in Balal grama panchayat, told PTI that the family received an email from the shipping company informing them of Akhil’s death on Monday evening.“We are trying to gather more details and complete the necessary formalities. He joined the merchant navy at the age of 19,” Joseph said.According to Joseph, Akhil had returned to his hometown around three months ago for his engagement ceremony.“His marriage was scheduled to take place two months from now. The bride is from Alappuzha district. He returned to work a month back,” he said.Joseph described Akhil as a well-known and respected figure in the locality, who was also a popular tug-of-war player.“He was known as a well-behaved and disciplined youngster,” he said.He added that Akhil’s father worked at an electrical shop while his mother was an insurance agent.“They are an ordinary family, and their future depended largely on Akhil. They had recently constructed a house,” Joseph said.The family is now in touch with the local MP and MLA to seek assistance in bringing Akhil’s body back to India and completing other formalities.According to foreign media reports, Ukraine’s Sea Ports Authority said a cargo vessel flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau was hit by Russian forces on Sunday shortly after leaving the port of Odesa. The vessel, carrying Ukrainian corn, was reportedly struck while at sea. The authority said eight people were rescued from the ship.India strongly condemned the attack, saying that targeting commercial shipping, endangering the lives of civilian crew members, or impeding freedom of navigation and commerce is deplorable and must be avoided.
