Merchant Navy sailor killed in Russian drone strike laid to rest in Kasaragod

The mortal remains of 26-year-old Merchant Navy sailor Akhil Joyan, who was killed in a Russian drone strike on a cargo vessel off Ukraine’s Odessa coast, were laid to rest at his native Vellarikundu on Monday (August 24), nearly a month after the attack.The body was flown to Bengaluru and transported by road to his family home, reaching Vellarikundu around noon on August 24. The funeral service was held in the presence of Rajmohan Unnithan, MP, and Kasaragod district panchayat president Sabu Abraham.Akhil was among 10 people killed when the grain-carrying cargo vessel Golden Leo was targeted in a Russian attack off Odessa on July 19. Four of those killed were Indians, with Akhil being the only one from Keralam. The vessel had 17 people on board, including Indian and Syrian sailors and Ukrainian pilots. Eight people were reportedly rescued.The only son of Joyan and Sally of Vellarikundu, Akhil had worked in the Merchant Navy for four years. He had returned home on two months’ leave and rejoined duty around 40 days before the fatal attack.He was also preparing to get married. Akhil was engaged to a woman from Kattappana in Idukki, and the wedding was planned for April next year, when he was expected to return home.Akhil completed his Plus Two at St. Jude’s Higher Secondary School, Vellarikundu, and later pursued marine engineering in Chennai. He joined the Merchant Navy at the age of 19. A talented sportsperson, Akhil was part of the Keralam team that won the national tug-of-war championship in 2014-15 while he was a Plus Two student. He also won a State championship and earned a place in the World Wide Book of Records after completing 25 rope pull-ups in 30 seconds. Published - August 24, 2026 08:45 pm IST