Russia agrees to compensate families of Nepalis killed in war against Ukraine

KATHMANDU, Feb 16: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has announced that Russia will compensate the families of Nepalis who joined the Russian Army and lost their lives in the war against Ukraine.

According to the MoFA, Russia has agreed to send compensation to the families through the Embassy of Nepal in Moscow. Discussions are underway with the relevant district administration offices through the MoFA to compensate the families of the Nepalis who died while fighting for Russia.

The MoFA stated that the compensation will be provided after the Embassy of Nepal coordinates with the families of the deceased and sends legal documents revealing their identities.

The government has so far confirmed the death of over a dozen Nepali nationals in the Russia-Ukraine war. It is believed that the number of Nepalis who joined the Russian army and died is much higher. The bodies of 11 Nepalis, who died in the war, have not been repatriated despite requests from the Nepali side.

The deceased individuals have been identified as Sandeep Thapalia (Gorkha), Rupak Karki (Banganga-1 Kapilvastu), Dewan Rai (Kaski), Pritam Karki (Putalibazar-5, Syangja), Rajkumar Roka (Melung-6, Dolakha), Gangaraj Moktan (Ilam-5), 32- year-old Sajan Gurung of Lamjung, 36-year-old Bharat Shah of Tikapur Municipality-1 in Kailali, Rajkumar Giri (Dhading), Hari Aryal (Syangja), Sonu Sunar of Kathebar of Pyuthan, Bharat Bahadur Shah (Kailali) and Kundan Singh Nagal (address not disclosed).

The MoFA had written to Russia demanding compensation worth Rs 9,081,600 for each of the deceased and Rs 4,151,600 for each of the injured. According to sources, it is estimated that if the deceased individuals had any insurance coverage, their families may receive around Rs 15 million in total. The MoFA stated that it is unaware of the relief amount that is to be provided to the families of the injured and the deceased.

There is no accurate data on how many Nepali youths have joined the Russian Army, although according to the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE), 744 Nepalis obtained work permits and reached Russia between fiscal years 2018/19 and 2022/23.

The number of young individuals flying to Russia has increased at the beginning of the current fiscal year. Between the months of Baishakh (mid-April to mid-May) and Kartik (mid-October to mid-November), 533 people went to Russia with work permits, marking a significant increase over the past five years. Nepali youth have been drawn to Russia for various purposes, including study, visit, and employment.

“Acknowledging that they were recruited into the Russian Army, the Russian government has agreed to compensate the families of the deceased,” the MoFA said, “There is no exact information about how many Nepalis were recruited in the Russian Army. That is why we have asked for details from credible sources.”

The Russian government has sent the details to the MoFA regarding 10 deceased Nepalis among the other employees recruited in the Russian Army.

The MoFA has also stated that more than 300 families have applied to the Department of Consular Services, requesting for the initiative to return their family members safely from Russia.

While the Russian government has shown a positive stance towards compensating the families in accordance with its laws, confusion remains about the compensation process, and the bodies have not been repatriated yet.

On the occasion of the 19th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held in Uganda on January 19, Foreign Minister NP Saud met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin and discussed this issue. In the meeting, he stated that there is a policy of not sending Nepali citizens to any other place except the British and Indian armies and asked him not to recruit Nepali citizens in their army and to return those who have already been recruited. Additionally, Saud sought the return of the deceased citizens' bodies, along with compensation for their families.

The MoFA made correspondence with the Russian government three months ago, demanding compensation for Nepalis who had joined the Russian army and died. Meanwhile, the MoFA has confirmed that 14 Nepali nationals have died in the Russia-Ukraine war.