Thiruvananthapuram
oi-Prakash KL
Akhil Joyan from Kerala was one among the four who was killed in a Russian attack at the Ukrainian city Odesa.
The 26-year-old hailed from Vellarikkundu in Kasaragod district. The painful part of the story is that he was engaged and his marriage was supposed to take place in the next two months, according to his family.
Akhil Joyan (26) from Kasaragod, Kerala, was among four Indian nationals killed and one injured in a Russian missile strike on the merchant vessel MV Golden Leo near Odesa, Ukraine; India condemned the attack.
Speaking to ANI, Akhil’s father Joyan said, “The company informed me on Monday, almost at 9 o’clock, saying that… Akhil was on the ship that was attacked with a missile, and he is missing. They also said that they do not know much and they will give further information later… The second time, they called me at around 2 o’clock. They told me that it is confirmed that one of the two missing persons is Akhil Joyan… his marriage is fixed… and we were waiting for December…”
His father works at an electric shop and Akhil was the only son.
“They are an ordinary family, and their future depended largely on Akhil. They had recently constructed a house,” PTI quoted Shobi Joseph, a ward member of Vellarikkundu in the Balal grama panchayat, as stating.
Akhil was in Kerala for his engagement ceremony, three months ago. Joseph confirmed about his ring-exchange ceremony to a girl from Alappuzha district.
#WATCH | Vellarikkundu, Keralam: Joyan, father of Akhil Joyan, says, “The company informed me on Monday, almost at 9 oclock, saying that… Akhil was on the ship that was attacked with a missile, and he is missing. They also said that they do not know much and they will give… https://t.co/UAKb7YP7pG pic.twitter.com/pEBqfE8VCf
— ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2026
“He was known as a well-behaved and disciplined youngster…His marriage was scheduled to take place two months from now. The bride is from the Alappuzha district. He returned to work a month back,” he added.
He mentioned that Akhil was a popular among the localities and good tug-of-war player.
“We are trying to gather more details and complete the necessary formalities. He joined the merchant navy at the age of 19,” Joseph added.
Meanwhile, India on Tuesday summoned Russian diplomat after four Indians were killed by a missile strike by Russia on the merchant vessel MV Golden Leo near Ukraine’s port of Odesa. One seafarer was left critically injured, PTI reported citing sources.
The MEA has said that the vessel had 17 people on board, including five Indians. “As per information available, four Indian nationals have tragically lost their lives, while one is hospitalised in a critical condition. Our Mission in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation and is making every effort to extend all possible assistance to those affected,” the MEA said in a press release.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased Indian nationals and wish the injured Indian national a speedy and full recovery,” the MEA added.
India condemned the attack stating that it strongly opposes such strikes that put civilians lives and commercial maritime operations at risk.
“India condemns such attacks and reiterates that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members, or otherwise impeding freedom of navigation and commerce, is deplorable and should be avoided,” the MEA said.
