Around 100 Nepalis serving in the Russian army are allegedly missing or injured in the continuing conflict with Ukrainian forces, according to claims made on Tuesday by Nepal’s Foreign Minister Narayan Prasad Saud.
Saud told the state news agency that 200 Nepalis are thought to be serving in the Russian army at the moment, but the number may be more. The Foreign Minister reaffirmed that it is currently unknown how many Nepalis are actually enlisted in the Russian military.
“It is estimated that about 200 Nepali youths who went to Russia for work, study and visit have joined the army. The number should be much higher as the ministry has received complaints that around 100 are missing and injured,” the Foreign Minister stated on Tuesday.
“The Russian government passed on the information that some Nepali citizens have joined its army and seven of them have been killed. Apart from this, the ministry has received complaints that around 100 Nepalis are missing and injured. The ministry was informed by their families and friends,” the Foreign Minister averred.
“The government summoned the Russian ambassador in Nepal to the ministry and requested the envoy convey our concerns to the Russian government,” he continued.
According to Saud, obtaining a no-objection certificate has become required for travel to Russia from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and six other Gulf nations. The Foreign Minister also stated that the administration is working to ensure the release of Nepalis who are being held captive by Ukrainian soldiers.
“We are in contact with the Ukrainian government and our ambassador is negotiating for their release. The government is also in close contact with the Ukrainian Embassy in New Delhi. We have requested the International Committee of the Red Cross facilitate the immediate release of four Nepalis under captivity. I believe these efforts will bear fruit soon,” he added.
The foreign minister of Nepal continued by saying that steps are being taken by the government to free Bipin Joshi, a student from Nepal who was being held captive by Hamas. Joshi’s whereabouts are unknown in the wake of the Palestinian militant group’s October 7 attack on Israel.
