1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
SocietyNepal

Nepal's mercenaries fight for Russia

Adil Bhat in Kathmandu | Sharique Ahmad in Kathmandu
April 13, 2024

The war in Ukraine is thousands of kilometers away, yet Nepalese combatants are risking their lives fighting alongside Russian troops.

https://p.dw.com/p/4eiS4

Recruitment agencies smuggle young Nepalese men into the Ukraine war — they are supposed to fight for Putin's army. They are promised a good income and Russian citizenship.

But reality often looks different. Those who return complain about lack of payment and the terrible war routine. It's a life-threatening mission, many Nepalese are killed in the process. Yet, this doesn't deter some young Nepalese men, like 25-year-old Sonish, who is determined to go to Russia.

A report by Adil Bhat.

DW Adil Bhat
Adil Bhat TV reporter and correspondent with a special focus on politics, conflict and human-interest stories.
Skip next section About the show

About the show

DW Reporter Sendungslogo

Reporter — On Location

DW’s on-the-ground reporters are always close to the action, be it covering international events or zooming in on some of the quirks of daily life. Camera always in hand, they report on the changes they see taking place in Germany, Europe and around the world.