KATHMANDU: Sixteen more Nepalis serving in the Russian army have reportedly died fighting against the Ukrainian forces.
As per information from a source within the foreign ministry, the bodies of the deceased have been repatriated to Nepal for DNA testing.
This development brings the official count of Nepali casualties in the Russia-Ukraine conflict to 33.
Over 200 family members have lodged individual complaints with the Department of Consular Affairs, urging for the rescue of their relatives serving in the Russian army. Nepal has reiterated its stance, stating that it prohibits its citizens from enlisting in any foreign military besides those with which it has established bilateral agreements, as previously stated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The government has advised its nationals against travelling to Russia without obtaining a “no-objection” letter from the Department of Consular Affairs.
On March 7, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha engaged in a telephonic discussion with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, addressing concerns regarding Nepali citizens serving in the Russian army.
During the conversation, the Russian minister assured action on the requests made by the families of Nepalis serving in the Russian armed forces.
Kirtu Bhandari, leading a campaign on behalf of families of Nepali nationals in the Russian Army, informed the Post that “a total of 116 Nepalis are injured, 274 are missing, and over 620 have enlisted in the Russian army.”
In an interview with the state-owned news agency, former foreign minister NP Saud stated in January that the actual number could be much higher. He mentioned receiving complaints that approximately 100 Nepalis serving in the Russian army were either missing or injured while engaged in conflict with Ukrainian forces.
