Representative Image
KATHMANDU: Russia has started providing compensation to families of Nepali youths who died fighting in the Russian army in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Of the 56 deceased Nepalis, two families have received the first installment of compensation, according to the Embassy of Nepal in Moscow.
The two families went to Moscow and requested compensation from Russia’s Defense Ministry, Man Bahadur Budha from Rukum, who is currently based in Moscow, said. He said that the families of Ganesh Shrestha from Syangja and Birajan Bishta have received the first installment of compensation.
The embassy, however, has not disclosed the compensation amount provided to these families, and the families have also not disclosed anything.
Budha suggested that the total compensation could be around Rs 2.5 million. “Families have received the first installment in Moscow. The Russian authorities have said that compensation would be paid in five installments. But they have not given any timeline,” he said.
Budha said over 2,000 Nepalis have been injured in fighting, and that more than 300 are still receiving treatment in more than 50 hospitals in and around Moscow.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Krishna Prasad Dhakal also confirmed that two families have received the first installment of compensation. He said that the government has raised the issue of compensation with Russian authorities with priority.
Although Nepal has requested Russian authorities to provide information about the number of Nepalis serving in its army, Russia has not responded.
Former Nepali ambassador to Russia, Milan Raj Tualdhar, said Russian and Ukrainian soldiers are still fighting in 23 locations.
The foreign ministry previously requested compensation of Rs 3.3 million per deceased. Despite sending details, including DNA test reports, of 49 Nepalis through the Department of Consular Services, the foreign ministry has not heard back from the Russian defense ministry
Around 250 Nepalis serving in the Russian army have returned. They say between 7,000 to 9,000 Nepalis have been recruited into the Russian military since the war began in 2023, with many reportedly entering through Qatar and the UAE.
