Nepal has confirmed that at least 118 of its nationals have been killed while serving in the army of Russia since the outbreak of the war with Ukraine in February 2022. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 132 Nepalis remain missing and 219 have been injured in the conflict.

The war, launched on February 24, 2022 under President Vladimir Putin, has drawn hundreds of young Nepalis into Russia’s foreign recruitment drive. Facing heavy battlefield losses, Moscow offered foreign nationals lucrative monthly salaries and a fast-track path to Russian citizenship in a bid to boost troop numbers.

Government estimates suggest around 1,500 Nepalis may have joined the Russian army, though Russian authorities have not released official figures. Many reportedly travelled through India, Gulf countries and Malaysia, often using student visas or informal channels before enlisting.

Nepal’s Department of Consular Services said it has been collecting and sending DNA samples to Russian authorities to verify the identities of the deceased. Families of several victims, however, say official confirmation has been slow, leaving them in prolonged uncertainty.

According to the Asia News Network, the Nepali government has repeatedly urged Moscow to halt the recruitment of its citizens and to facilitate the repatriation of bodies and the return of those still serving. Diplomatic efforts are ongoing, but many families continue to wait for clarity.

As the conflict enters its fourth year, the human cost for Nepal has grown steadily, turning a distant geopolitical war into a deeply personal tragedy for dozens of households across the country.

BOB Post