KATHMANDU, March 11: A video message of three Nepalis who joined the Russian Army pleading for rescue from India has been released.
Speaking in Hindi, they reached out to neighboring India for assistance, citing a lack of cooperation from the Nepali Embassy in Russia.
"We appeal for help from our neighboring country, India. We have faith that India will assist us," they expressed. "Given the strong ties between Nepal and India, we seek help. We feel helpless as our homeland isn't able to help us,” they said.
The trio revealed they were deceived by an agent who promised them roles as "helpers" in the Russian Army but instead they have been pushed into the battlefield.
Family members of 115 Nepali nationals joining the Russian Army...
"We've been betrayed. Out of 30 companions, only 5 remain," they disclosed. "Some were deployed elsewhere, and we don't know about others"
They also mentioned the presence of three Indian compatriots who were previously with them but were rescued by India. They urged India for the rescue of three of them as well, if possible.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 12 Nepalis serving in the Russian Army have been confirmed dead. However, campaigners striving to repatriate Nepali soldiers report that the families of 19 individuals have conducted funeral rites following evidence of their demise.
Amrit Bahadur Rai, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that efforts are underway to repatriate Nepali nationals from the Russian Army, although the exact number of Nepalis serving remains unknown.
"Currently, 245 families have requested to repatriate their loved ones," he mentioned.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayankaji Shrestha had a telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on March 7.
"He has requested to expedite the repatriation of the dead bodies of Nepalis, provide compensation to the families of the deceased and facilitate the return of the Nepali citizens serving in the Russian Army," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Deputy Prime Minister also pressed for compensation, with no clear response from the Russian side, according to sources.
