7 Nepalis, who have been prisoners of war in Ukraine for a year, have refused to return to their country directly. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sources, in their statement with the Ukrainian official, they said that they did not go directly to Nepal, but went to Russia and returned to their country.

While Nepal is making initiatives with the Ukrainian government for their release, the Nepalese prisoners of war refused to be returned to their country directly.

'A Nepali in Ukraine is working as a language translator between 7 Nepali and Ukrainian army who are prisoners of war. "Seven people went to Russia and gave a statement that they will go to Nepal only later," said an official of foreign affairs. According to him, if they return home directly from Ukraine, they will be deprived of the services and facilities provided by the Russian government due to joining the army.

The Russian government has given the facility to apply for permanent residence (PR) and passport from the battlefield for those who want to stay in the army after one year of service. Lured by this facility, even Nepalese who came to Russia for study or through other means were recruited into the army. By giving only general training to the recruited Nepalis, Russia made a sour fight against Ukraine.

It is estimated that around 1,500 Nepalis have joined the Russian army. It has been confirmed that 49 Nepalis died in the war. The families of 118 people who are not in contact with their families and are searching for them, have submitted an application to the consular department. After the initiative of the Nepalese government, Russia has stopped accepting Nepalis from last May, according to the foreign ministry. Since then, the Russian government has taken a lax policy on not wanting to renew the contract.

Seven of those recruited into the Russian army are still under the control of the Ukrainian army. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been taking initiatives to release them through Nepali Embassy in Germany and Nepali Embassy in Delhi. "After they took the stand to go to Russia citing service facilities and other reasons, it was not possible to take any further initiatives," said the official. 

Vivek Khatri of Bardia, Siddharth Dhakal of Kavre, Vikas Rai of Morang, Prateek Pun of Rolpa, Ishwar Lamichhane of Makwanpur, Sujan Subedi of Chitwan and Madan Kumal of Gorkha, who joined the Russian army and deployed in the war zone, are currently under the control of the Ukrainian army. Kumal sent a message to his family through the ICRC saying he was safe. He said in the message, "Don't worry too much." 

Ukraine has also said that the 7 Nepalis who are under control have been treated according to international laws related to prisoners of war. They are all housed in the capital of Ukraine, Kiev. For the first time, Ukraine released a video of 5 Nepalis who had joined the Russian army under their control last March. At that time, Ukraine had publicly asked Nepal to stop the war with Ukraine by recruiting its citizens into the Russian army.

Russia has put those Nepalis in the list of its troops captured by Ukraine. "Russia has given an answer to Nepal to bring them when exchanging prisoners," said the official. In the first week of last August, 230 prisoners of war were exchanged between Russia and Ukraine under the mediation of the United Arab Emirates. So far 1788 prisoners of war have been exchanged. 

According to foreign officials, the health condition of the Nepali prisoners of war is normal. One person was taken injured due to bullet wounds in the war. His bullet wound has healed. One person is hard of hearing. "Everyone's condition is normal," said the official, "they have not been tortured." Apart from providing daily wages, contact with family should also be given. However, Nepalis who have been detained are not allowed to contact their families. 

The family of 23-year-old Vivek from Rajapur-1, Bardia has been waiting for his way for more than a year. Vivek was held hostage by the Ukrainian army on October 7, 2080. After the Ukrainian army took control, Vivek made a video call at home and informed that he was arrested. Let the government take the initiative and take Vivek home safely," said Vivek's Phupu Mahima Singh.