Nepalese Mercenary Killed in Donetsk Amid Russian Recruitment Drive

In the ongoing conflict in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, a 30-year-old Nepalese citizen, Madan Kumal, has tragically lost his life, becoming a victim of Russia's aggressive recruitment strategy aimed at enlisting foreign nationals for military service. This revelation was made public by the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense on April 6.

According to intelligence reports, Kumal signed a four-year contract with the Russian Armed Forces in October 2023. Initially, he was assigned to a unit that had witnessed numerous instances of mass desertion among foreign recruits, indicating that many of these mercenaries were unprepared for the harsh realities of war and the horrors that awaited them.

After several weeks of training, during which Kumal learned combat skills 'on the go,' he was deployed to the front lines. Amidst the ongoing war and the constant losses suffered by Russian infantry, command decided to send him into an attack, despite having spent some time in defensive positions without participating in offensive operations.

In February 2024, Kumal was offered Russian citizenship; however, realizing the perilous situation he was in, he declined the offer and expressed a desire to return home. Unfortunately, his family in Nepal, who had been protesting for the return of mercenaries from Russia, were unable to save him in time. They submitted an official request to the Nepalese consul, but tragically, Kumal was killed during an assault on Ukrainian positions.

Intelligence sources also noted that Russia has actively recruited approximately 15,000 citizens from Nepal to participate in the war against Ukraine. Many of these individuals were lured into the conflict by promises of high salaries offered by the Kremlin to foreign mercenaries. Additionally, Russia has promised a simplified process for obtaining a Russian passport for those willing to join its armed forces.

As of late 2025, according to the Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service, over 1,400 citizens from 36 African nations were also fighting on the side of Russia. The enemy is targeting socially vulnerable youth, individuals with limited access to education and employment, low-income women, and those with military experience. Mercenaries are often recruited under false pretenses, with promises of civilian jobs such as security guards, drivers, or construction workers.

In February 2026, Kenyan MP Kimani Ichung'wah stated that Russia had recruited over 1,000 Kenyans to fight in the war against Ukraine, further underscoring the scale of the issue. In March, the European Parliament passed a resolution acknowledging that Russia is actively recruiting thousands of underprivileged citizens from countries in Africa, Asia, and Cuba, misleading them into fighting against Ukraine as part of the Russian military.