Hundreds of Nepalis – most of them without military experience – have been conscripted by the Russian army. President Vladimir Putin publicly promised citizenship and high pay for mercenaries who sign up to fight for Russia.
This gave rise to a massive recruitment campaign, deemed illegal by the Nepalese government. So far, at least 33 Nepalee soldiers have lost their lives on the frontline, but the actual number could be much higher. A report by Nejma Bentrad, Nabeel Ahmed and Rojita Adhikari.