KATHMANDU: Hari Kumar Rai, originally from Khotang and currently enlisted in the Russian army, has made a desperate plea for his life.

Before joining the army, Rai was a rider in Kathmandu. Under peer pressure and with the help of agents, he flew to Russia on Bhadra 19, 2080.

“I am sure that I will be killed. If you can, please save me. Even if I am killed, please repatriate my dead body back to Nepal. May my family get aid and compensation,” Rai pleaded in a WhatsApp message.

“Until yesterday, I was ready to die, having joined the army. But today, I spoke to my daughter and learned she is taking her exams. Then, I realized that if I die, what will happen to my family?” he added.

According to Rai, he and eight other Nepali nationals were sent to Russia by Shailendra Rai of Khotang, for which he paid Rs 700,000.

He was enlisted in the Russian army a day after arriving in Russia and soon found himself on the front lines in Ukraine.

Rai mentioned that 15 other Nepalis arrived in Russia at the same time.

Of them, two have already been killed, and some are injured.

“War is terrifying. There is death at every step. Enemy drones are everywhere, ready to strike. It’s just a matter of time before being hit by a bomb.”

“After witnessing the situation, some Nepalis tried to escape. Six of them died in pursuit of freedom. They were captured and brutally tortured. Their attempt triggered suspicion. Now, we are grouped with Russian soldiers to monitor us.”

Rai was placed in a group with five Russian nationals, four of whom have already died.

Only a drone operator survived, but he was severely injured in a drone attack.

Rai cared for him, but due to a language barrier, his condition was misunderstood by their commander, leading to his death.

Following this, Rai has faced harsh treatment.

He has been denied food and money, surviving on whatever he can find in the jungle and going hungry for long periods.

Russian soldiers have threatened to kill him, speaking in Russian, which he can understand but not speak.

“They plan to chop off my hands and legs, kill me, and throw me away,” Rai reported.

His attempts to reach his commander have been ignored.

His weapons and clothes have been taken away, and his passport burned.

Only his phone remains. “I can be killed anytime. Even if I am killed, I appeal for my message to be disseminated.”

Govt unresponsive: Activists

According to Kritu Bhandari, an activist campaigning to save the lives of Nepali nationals, the government is unwilling to address the problems of its citizens enlisted in the Russian army.

“Soon after I got information about Hari Rai being threatened by his fellow soldiers, I contacted Milan Tuladhar, Nepal’s ambassador based in Mexico, the Foreign Ministry, the director general at the Department of Consular Service, and the advisor to the Prime Minister, Buddi GC, but none of them showed willingness to help,” said Bhandari.