Nepali Mercenaries in Ukraine Face Harsh Realities

Recruited by Russia for the conflict in Ukraine, about 15,000 Nepalis confront brutal conditions and uncertain fates, prompting a government ban on work travel to Russia.

• About 15,000 Nepali citizens are fighting for Russia in Ukraine, lured by promises of cash and a fast-tracked Russian passport.
• Wounded returnees and families of the fighters report brutal conditions, with many killed or missing.
• Nepali government bans citizens from traveling to Russia for work, amid reports of Nepalis being used as cannon fodder.
• Families in Nepal are desperate for information about their loved ones, with some receiving news of deaths through unofficial channels.
• The recruitment of Nepalis highlights the dire economic conditions in Nepal, driving citizens to seek dangerous employment abroad.

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