What happened

A Russian drone strike off the Ukraine coast killed Akhil Joyan, a 26-year-old Merchant Navy sailor, aboard the grain-carrying cargo vessel Golden Leo.

Key timeline and logistics after the attack:

- July 19: The cargo vessel Golden Leo was targeted in a Russian drone strike off the Ukraine coast. - The strike killed 10 people; Akhil Joyan was among them. - Joyan’s body was flown to Bengaluru and then transported by road. - The body reached Vellarikundu around noon on August 24. - Joyan’s funeral service in Kerala was held nearly a month after the July 19 incident.

Funeral attendance in Kerala included Rajmohan Unnithan, MP, and Sabu Abraham, Kasaragod district panchayat president.

Background and earlier position