The government of Nepal should not hesitate to raise its voice in international forums regarding the illegal action of Russia by recruiting foreign nationals into its army and deploying them in the war. A meaningful diplomatic initiative is also necessary for the release of Nepali citizens who are under the occupation of Ukraine.
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It has been a year since the news of Nepalese youths losing their lives while illegally joining the Russian army and serving in the war against Ukraine. The news of Nepalese deaths in the Russia-Ukraine war has not stopped coming. So far, 35 Nepalis have been confirmed dead.
They didn't bring anyone's body, the families concerned have not even been able to get relief. The call to return home from the battlefield continues. The Nepalis who have been controlled by Ukraine do not have a safe place. When its citizens are dying, the role of the Nepal government is nowhere to be seen in the results.
The news of Nepali youth being recruited in the Russian army started coming from May last year. Last year on June 29, Nepalese lost their lives on the battlefield for the first time. With the confirmation of the death of 10 people, the number of Nepalis who lost their lives in the Russia-Ukraine war has reached 35. There are 6 Nepali people who were injured in the war and are being treated. Kayan is uncontactable. There are 6 Nepalis who were captured by the Ukrainian army while fighting the war as Russian soldiers. According to official data, 128 people returned to Nepal after the war. After news of Nepalese deaths in the war started coming and the government also increased surveillance, the process of Nepalis going to join the Russian army has stopped. But even the young men who have been lured or lured into the Russian army have not been able to return even though they are desperate for rescue. In the meantime, those who returned, took risks and ran away from the battlefield.
Neither the government of Nepal has given permission to recruit Nepali citizens in the Russian army, nor has there been any agreement or agreement between them. Therefore, it is illegal for Russia to lure and recruit citizens of other countries into its army and send them to the battlefield. Based on this basis, the government of Nepal should have been able to create strong diplomatic pressure to return its citizens, which did not happen. The Nepal government's initiative seems to be limited to sending a diplomatic note for the return of the youth, drawing attention to the possibility of talks with the Russian authorities.
The government of Nepal has not even been able to get clear information about its citizens who were illegally recruited into the Russian army. The government cannot tell the exact figures of how many Nepalis are recruited in the Russian army and how many are injured. The government has formed a high-level task force under the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to study the happenings in the Russian affairs and find solutions, but even after a month, it has not prepared a report. Even at a sensitive time when the Nepali youth need to be rescued from the battlefield as soon as possible, the fact that the task force is spending so much time shows that the government has not given it a high priority.
After the Russian government introduced a policy to grant citizenship to foreign nationals after serving for one year in its army and their family members will also get such benefits, foreign nationals have started to be recruited. Nepali youths who were initially studying or employed there and later reached Russia through brokers were recruited because of the attractiveness of attractive earnings. They are in a vulnerable situation as they are deployed to war after only 15 days, one month of normal training. It cannot be denied that it is their fault to join the Russian army illegally after being enticed or swayed, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure the safety of its citizens wherever they are.
Two and a half years have passed since the Russia-Ukraine war. There is no sign of an immediate end to the war. In such a situation, it is necessary for the government to take a strong diplomatic initiative to protect the lives of its citizens in the Russian army. Pressure should be increased on the Russian government through talks, correspondence, etc. for the repatriation of Nepali citizens, adequate relief for the families of the deceased, reliable treatment arrangements for the injured. The government of Nepal should not hesitate to raise its voice on international forums regarding Russia's illegal actions of recruiting foreign nationals into its army and deploying them in war. A meaningful diplomatic initiative is also necessary for the release of Nepali citizens who are under the occupation of Ukraine.
