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How a Nepali Recruit Was Drawn Into Russia’s War and Killed on the Front Line
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Military intelligence has identified a Nepali citizen who died while serving with Russian forces in the Donetsk region, according to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (HUR) on April 6.
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The individual was identified as Madan Kumal, born on November 8, 1995. His involvement with the Russian military began on October 16, 2023, when he signed a four-year contract in Moscow.
Kumal was eventually assigned to military unit 29328. This specific unit has been noted for frequent desertions among foreign nationals recruited into the Russian army.
After receiving only a few weeks of training, Kumal was sent to the front line, where he had to gain combat experience during active operations. Later, he was transferred to the 1st Rifle Platoon, 2nd Rifle Company, 3rd Rifle Battalion of the 87th Separate Rifle Regiment within the 51st Combined Arms Army.
In February 2024, Kumal was offered Russian citizenship. By that time, he understood the reality of his situation and the risks involved. On March 30, he submitted a formal refusal of the offer, stating that he wished to return to his home country.
His family in Nepal became concerned during his five months of service and participated in local protests demanding the return of Nepali mercenaries from Russia. They also filed an official request with the Nepali consul.
Despite these efforts, Kumal died during an attempt to assault Ukrainian positions before he could return home. For a period, he had been stationed in defensive positions and was not involved in direct attacks. However, high casualty rates among Russian infantry eventually led commanders to send his unit into an assault.
The Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) has issued a warning to foreign citizens regarding travel to Russia or seeking employment there. They stated that such trips carry a significant risk of being placed in assault units without proper training or a high chance of survival.
Russia constructed a global system for recruiting foreign nationals through fraudulent and criminal mechanisms. According to the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD), citizens from 128 nations, spanning from Asia to Africa, were involved in the Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Many of these recruits were drawn into the war through deception or financial promises, but they were eventually killed or captured during combat operations.
While many were initially promised non-combat roles in logistics or construction, they were later deployed to assault units after receiving only minimal training.
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