The Ukrainian military intelligence has identified a Nepalese citizen, Madan Kumal, who died while attempting to storm Ukrainian positions in the Donetsk region. Kumal, who enlisted in the Russian army in Moscow in 2023, had his family reach out to the consulate for assistance, but they were unable to secure his return before his death.
According to the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine, Kumal, born on November 8, 1995, signed a four-year contract with the Russian military on October 16, 2023. He was assigned to military unit No. 29328, which has reportedly experienced significant desertion rates among foreign recruits. After several weeks of training, Kumal was sent to the front lines, where he had to acquire combat skills in real-time. He was later transferred to the 87th Separate Rifle Regiment, part of the 51st Combined Arms Army of Russia.
In February 2024, Kumal was offered Russian citizenship, but on March 30, he declined the offer, expressing a desire to return home. Following five months of service, his family began demanding his return and participated in protests in Nepal. They submitted a request to the Nepalese consulate for his repatriation, but it was too late—Kumal was killed during an assault on Ukrainian positions.
“For a time, Kumal was fortunate: he was stationed on defensive positions and was not involved in assault operations. However, catastrophic losses among Russian infantry ultimately forced the command to send him into the attack,” stated the intelligence report.
The Main Intelligence Directorate has warned foreign nationals against traveling to Russia or engaging in any work there, particularly illegal activities. They cautioned that such actions could lead to being assigned to assault units without proper training and minimal chances of survival.
Madan Kumal, a Nepalese citizen who enlisted in the Russian army, was killed during an assault on Ukrainian positions. His family sought his return but were unable to do so before his death, highlighting the risks faced by foreign recruits in the ongoing conflict.