Ukrainian intelligence has identified among the Russian soldiers killed in Donetsk region the body of a Nepalese citizen who fought on Russia’s side.
This was reported by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
“Military intelligence identified one of the eliminated invaders in Donetsk – Nepalese citizen Madan Kumal, born November 8, 1995,” the report states.
His history in the Russian army began on October 16, 2023, when he signed a four-year contract in Moscow. Later, like many other Nepalese mercenaries, he was sent to military unit No. 29328, a division repeatedly noted for mass desertions of foreign recruits in the Russian army.
After several weeks of training, Kumal was sent to the frontline, where he was effectively forced to acquire combat skills “on the go.”
He was later transferred to the 1st rifle platoon of the 2nd rifle company, 3rd rifle battalion of the 87th Separate Rifle Regiment within the 51st Combined Arms Army of the Russian Federation (unit 34479).
In February 2024, Kumal was offered Russian citizenship. By then, he had already realized what he had gotten into and what awaited him – on March 30, he refused, citing his desire to return home.
During his five months of service, his family raised the alarm and joined protests in Nepal demanding the return of mercenaries from Russia. They submitted an official appeal to the Nepalese consul, but could not bring him back – Kumal was killed while attempting to assault Ukrainian positions.
For a time, he was “lucky”: stationed in defensive positions, he was not involved in assault operations. However, catastrophic losses among Russian infantry eventually forced the command to send him into an attack.
The Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine warns foreign citizens against traveling to Russia or working there in any capacity, especially illegally. Such trips can carry a real risk of being sent to an assault unit without proper training or any realistic chance of survival.
