As the Russia–Ukraine war reaches its fourth year, at least 118 Nepali nationals have been killed while serving in the Russian army, and 132 remain missing, according to Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Data from the Department of Consular Services show that 219 Nepalis have also been injured in the conflict. The department has been collecting and sending DNA samples as per official communication from Russia to verify the identities of the deceased.

The war, which began on February 24, 2022, has drawn hundreds of Nepali youths to Russia, many of them joined the force meant for battle with promises of high salaries and citizenship. After suffering heavy losses in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin introduced a policy to increase troop numbers by recruiting foreign nationals, offering a monthly salary of around 300,000 roubles and direct Russian citizenship after one year of service.

An estimated 1,500 Nepalis are believed to have joined the Russian army, although Moscow has not released official figures. Many reportedly travelled via India, the Gulf countries and Malaysia, often through informal or illegal channels. Some Nepali students studying in Russia also enlisted.

Sanjit Bhatta of Gorkha recalls the day the war began. Having arrived in Kyiv just a month earlier, he fled Ukraine on foot after public transport shut down. “We walked for five days through forest routes to reach the Polish border. There was no hope of getting any help from others,” he said, recalling the chaos as thousands attempted to escape.

At the same time, another stream of Nepalis was heading in the opposite direction—to enlist in the Russian military.

Prakash Bohara of Dailekh shared that he paid Rs1 million under the pretext of a student visa and reached Russia without informing his family of his real intention. Within five days, he was recruited into the army and, after a week of training, he was deployed to the Russia–Ukraine border.

“For 18 months, I saw death up close every day. Missiles flew overhead, and friends died before my eyes,” he said. “Out of 30 men sent to the frontline, sometimes only five or 10 would return.” Bohara survived without injury, but many others did not.

Among the recent casualties is 45-year-old Man Bahadur Tamang of Gujara Municipality-2 in Rautahat, who was reportedly killed in a drone strike on February 10. His family says the government has yet to provide official confirmation. His wife learned of his death through a fellow Nepali soldier after days without contact.

Meanwhile, some Nepalis who have acquired Russian citizenship continue to serve on the frontlines. Janam Rai, who has been in the Russian army for three years, said he has not been allowed to return home. “We are trying to come back to Nepal, but in vain; the permission has not been granted,” he said, adding that the flow of new Nepali recruits has not stopped.

As the conflict grinds on, both Russia and Ukraine have suffered heavy human and territorial losses. For many Nepali families, however, the war has become a distant tragedy with deeply personal consequences—lives lost, relatives missing, and little clarity about when or whether their loved ones will return.