Lost in translation: Nepalese mercenaries struggle in Russian ranks

We are now 812 days into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with Russian troops having crossed the border into the Kharkiv region and overtaking Vovchansk. Heavy combat continues, prompting urgent calls from Ukrainian authorities for civilians in danger zones to evacuate.

Amidst the ongoing conflict, the presence of mercenaries within the Russian army has become a notable issue again. In a recent video shared by Heraszczenko, Russian soldiers, seen in the trenches, struggle to communicate with their Nepalese counterparts who do not speak Russian. The mercenaries, hailing from a nation once under British rule and nestled at the base of Mount Everest, speak only English—a language the Russian soldiers in the footage do not understand.

In an attempt to bridge the language gap, Russian soldiers drew on the ground and gestured to convey the positions of Ukrainian and Russian forces to the Nepalese.

“Do you know where the sun comes up? Don't shoot there!” – advised the Russian soldiers to the Nepalese.

Heraszczenko previously highlighted that not all Russians favor employing such mercenaries. A video posted weeks earlier featuring a Nepalese mercenary named Papendo attracted a deluge of hateful and racially charged comments, reflecting a broader sentiment.

Heraszczenko pointed out that the Russians fear that individuals like him might remain in Russia post-war. While many Russians are comfortable with the thought of foreigners fighting and dying for their country, the prospect of them living in Russia is deemed unacceptable.

In what could be one of its last publications, the Asia Research Center, on the eve of its shutdown by the War Art Academy in April 2024, discussed the involvement of Nepalese mercenaries in the Russian military efforts. The report estimated that between 200 to a thousand Nepalese may have served on the Russian side, with confirmed fatalities numbering at least ten by April.

To stem the flow of Nepalese mercenaries into the conflict, the Kathmandu government took a decisive step on January 4th, halting visa issuance to citizens seeking employment in both Russia and Ukraine.

According to the Asia Research Center’s findings, the lucrative salary offerings from the Russian military and promises of expedited Russian citizenship present a compelling proposition for many Nepalese.