Recent reports suggest that over 3,000 Nepalis may have joined the Russian army, with a captured Nepali POW providing exclusive video evidence to Ukrainian authorities. Initially estimated at 200, the number of Nepalis fighting for Russia has raised concerns, with missing individuals and confirmed casualties.
Financial pressures and promises of job security away from the front lines have lured Nepalis to join the Russian army. However, the reality differs from the promises, as demonstrated by the captured POW’s accounts.
Russia’s recruitment of individuals from various nationalities for its army has faced criticism, with countries like Kyrgyzstan taking legal actions against their citizens fighting in Ukraine. Nepal, in response to its citizens’ involvement, has urged Russia to cease recruiting Nepalese nationals into its army.
With media attention on Nepalese fighters and restrictions on foreign work permits to Russia, the situation highlights the complexities of international recruitment and the consequences faced by individuals seeking financial opportunities abroad.