Nepali families struggle for closure as loved ones serving in Russian army remain unaccounted for

On October 20, 2023, three days before the Dashain holidays started, Santosh Gurung of Dudhpokhari Rural Municipality-1, Lamjung, left for Russia to join the Russian army. Wanting to make good money, with the help of an agent, he reached Moscow and immediately joined the Russian army.

In little over a month, Gurung was off to the warzone in Ukraine. He did not have much training yet he stood there with gun in hand ready to fight.