Kanhaiya Yadav, a resident of Bankata village, departed for Russia in January to work as a cook but returned nearly a year later in a casket.
Yadav, 41, was enlisted in the Russian army shortly after his arrival and sent to the front lines of the Russia-Ukraine war, where he sustained injuries.
After battling for his life in a hospital, Yadav passed away on June 17, as confirmed by his family. His mortal remains were brought back home on Monday.
He left for St. Petersburg, Russia, on January 16 after obtaining a work visa through an agent.
Yadav underwent training as a cook but was later drafted into the Russian army, according to his wife, Geeta.
“On May 9, Yadav informed us that he was injured during the conflict. We stayed in contact until May 25, after which we heard nothing from him,” she said.
On December 6, the Indian embassy in Moscow notified the family that Yadav had died on June 17 while receiving treatment in a hospital, she added. His body was returned to India on Monday.
Local officials, including Naib Tehsildar Sanjay Rai, accompanied the family to Babatpur Airport in Varanasi to receive the body. From there, his remains were brought to his village.
On Monday evening, villagers gathered at Yadav’s home to pay their last respects. He is survived by his wife and two sons, Ajay (21) and Vijay (19).
Ajay recalled his last conversation with his father on April 25, when Yadav assured him he was in good health.
Ajay also claimed that the Russian government had announced compensation of Rs 30 lakh for the family, but they have yet to receive it.
