KATHMANDU: Ukraine has disclosed the identities of five Nepali nationals currently serving in the Russian Army after their arrest.

These Nepali individuals had enlisted in the Russian Army with hopes of earning and supporting their families but were apprehended by the Ukrainian Army during the ongoing conflict.

According to Reuters, Ukraine has made public a total of eight foreign nationals serving in the Russian Army, among whom five are Nepali citizens.

After their identities were revealed, Bikas Rai, originally from Letang, Morang, and currently detained as a prisoner of war in Ukraine, has urged fellow Nepali nationals not to join the Russian Army.

“Joining the Russian Army will not fulfill your dreams,” Rai further emphasized.

Sharing his own experience, Rai revealed that he decided to join the Russian Army after watching TikTok videos.

He had initially traveled to Russia on a tourist visa.

“After watching a TikTok video, I communicated with them. They assured me that I wouldn’t be deployed to the frontline after joining the Army. Having gathered all the information about the process, I traveled to Russia to enlist in the Army on a tourist visa,” Rai explained.

Rai emphasized that while nobody desires to be in war zones, the situation in Nepal is no different.

Those disclosed alongside Rai include Bibek Khatri from Bardiya, Siddhartha Dhakal from Kavrepalanchowk, and Prakit Pun from Rolpa. One Nepali citizen remains unidentified, as reported by the BBC.

In addition to Nepalis, citizens from Somalia, Cuba, and Sierra Leone were also disclosed.

In contrast to Rai’s situation, Bibek Khatri joined the Russian Army after being influenced by a friend residing in Russia.

According to Khatri, he made the decision to enlist in the Army after his friend, who had been living in Russia for the past year, portrayed it as a favorable opportunity.

The Ukrainian government has urged the Nepali government to take measures to prevent its citizens from enlisting in the Russian Army.

As of now, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nepal has yet to respond to this development.

(with inputs from BBC)