Kanchanpur man missing for six months after joining Russia-Ukraine war

Kanchanpur: Lokendra Bista, a resident of Sundarpur, Bedkot Municipality-9, Kanchanpur, has been missing for six months after joining the Russia-Ukraine war.

Lokendra, who previously worked in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, struggled to earn enough to sustain his family. Seeking a more reliable income, he decided to join the Russia-Ukraine conflict after learning his neighbors, Birajan and Nirajan Bista, were heading to Russia. A broker facilitated their recruitment, taking ₹700,000 from each of them. Lokendra borrowed money in the village to cover the cost.

The trio traveled to Russia via Delhi and joined the army within a week. Following brief training, they were deployed to the battlefield. Tragically, Birajan was killed in combat on Baisakh 17, and his family performed the last rites in his absence using a symbolic representation. Nirajan sustained injuries and is preparing to return home after extended treatment.

Lokendra's family has not heard from him since the second week of Asad, when he last contacted his mother, saying he would return in Mangsir to complete the concrete house he had started building. His wife, Meena, who resides in Gorkha with their 4-year-old son, and other family members have been desperately checking Messenger for any updates. The last news they received indicated Lokendra was injured during fighting, but his current status remains unknown.

The Bista family, living in a modest mud house with an incomplete concrete structure next to it, awaits any word of Lokendra. His dream was to finish the house upon his return. Lokendra’s brother Yadav, currently in Ahmedabad, India, also hopes for news.

The government does not have exact figures for the number of Nepalis who joined the Russian army to fight in Ukraine. Families of 118 Nepalis who lost contact have reportedly applied to the consular department for assistance in locating their loved ones.