Death toll of Nepalis in Russian Army rises to 45

KATHMANDU: The number of Nepalis who lost their lives while serving in the Russian Army has reached 45. Balram Gurung of Rukum and Tej Bahadur Shahi of Dailekh are the latest victims of the Russia-Ukraine war.

“We have received information about the demise of two more youths in Russia. However, we don’t have any details on when they died,” Amrit Bahadur Rai, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said.

The ministry, however, has officially confirmed the deaths of only 27 Nepali youths in Russia. Bhuvan Ojha, an official at the Department of Consular Services, said the government has not received any information about the remaining 18 youths. According to Ojha, the families of these 18 youths have notified the foreign ministry about their demise. The families have registered applications for compensation after completing the last rites of their deceased family members, Oha added.

Families of these 27 youths have been putting pressure on the ministry, stating that they should also be eligible for compensation.

The names and addresses of only 40 youths have been confirmed so far. The addresses of the other five have not yet been confirmed, according to the ministry.

The government does not have exact data on the number of youths currently serving in the Russian Army. Although the ministry has sought information about the number of Nepalis serving in the Russian army and details of dead and injured Nepali soldiers, the Russian foreign ministry has not provided any information.

Rai said the government has been trying to collect details and whereabouts of Nepalis serving in the Russian Army from different sources. He added that discussions with relevant Russian authorities were underway regarding compensation for injured and deceased Nepalis in Russia. “Nepali youths have not been recruited into the Russian army in recent times. Discussions are underway to repatriate Nepalis who have been recruited, injured, or killed while serving in the Russian army. The Russian side is positive on this matter,” Rai added.

Status of five Nepalis in Ukraine unknown

According to the ministry, the status of five Nepalis, who were illegally recruited into the Russian army and are now in Ukrainian custody, is unknown.

Bibek Khatri from Bardiya, Siddhartha Dhakal from Kavre, Bikas Rai from Morang, Pratik Pun from Rolpa and Ishwor Lamichhane from Gorkha were taken into custody from the war front by the Ukrainian army.

Spokesperson Rai told Himal Press that the government has sought information about the five youths from relevant Ukrainian authorities.

Meanwhile, families of over 3,000 Nepalis have applied to the Department of Consular Services for the search of their family members currently in Russia.

List of deceased Nepali youths

1. Rajkumar Roka – Dolakha
2. Shukra Bahadur Tamang – Kathmandu
3. Bharat Bahadur Shah – Dolakha
4. Dewan Rai – Kaski
5. Pritam Karki – Syangja
6. Ganga Raj Moktan – Ilam
7. Rupak Karki – Kapilvastu
8. Sandip Thapaliya – Gorkha
9. Kundan Singh Nagal – Darchula
10. Hari Prasad Aryal – Syangja
11. Rajkumar Giri – Dhading
12. Dhan Singh Pun – Rolpa
13. Purna Bahadur Gurung – Dhading
14. Sundar Moktan – Rasuwa
15. Ganga Ram Adhikari – Jhapa
16. Padam Bahadur Ghimire – Udayapur
17. Sanjay KC – Banke
18. Nabin Shahi – Jajarkot
19. Jit Bahadur BK – Baglung
20. Anit Kumar Sah – Mahottari
21. Khagendra Rai – Dhankuta
22. Somesh Sunar – Pyuthan
23. Ram Kumar Pradhan – Makwanpur
24. Om Bahadur Magar – Udayapur
25. Bhuwan Pun Magar – Myagdi
26. Birajan Bist – Kanchanpur
27. Lal Bahadur Gharti Magar – Pyuthan
28. Santosh Bista – Salyan
29. Sajan Gurung – Lamjung
30. Santosh Gurung – Lamjung
31. Jit Bahadur Pun – Dang
32. Lal Bahadur Budha – Rupandehi
33. Netra Bahadur Gharti – Rupandehi
34. Ghanashyam Pun – Rolpa
35. Tej Bahadur Shahi – Dailekh
36. Birbal Rai – Sankhuwasabha
37. Tika Rana – Tehrathum
38. Bam Bahadur Ale – Tanahun
39. Sandesh Thapa – Lamjung
40. Balram Gurung – Dailekh
41. Ganesh Shrestha – Address not known
42. Nabin Shahi – Address not known
43. Deepak Rana Magar – Address not known
44. Phurba Sherpa – Address not known
45. Khom Bahadur Bhujel – Address not known