KATHMANDU, Nepal — The Dr. Sandesh Lamsal Foundation has jolted Nepal’s foreign policy machinery into motion with a direct and uncompromising appeal demanding the immediate humanitarian release of at least seven Nepali nationals held in Ukraine for over two and a half years.
In a sharply worded communication issued this week, the foundation addressed Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine’s Ambassador to India Dr. Oleksandr Polishchuk, and Russian diplomatic representatives in Nepal. The appeal lays bare the human cost of war on young Nepalis who travelled abroad for legitimate opportunities but found themselves trapped in a geopolitical conflict.
At the centre of the case is a young Nepali man who arrived in Russia on a student visa in October 2022. After losing his part-time job amid the Russia–Ukraine war, he enlisted in the Russian army in July 2023 to fund his father’s kidney transplant and repay mounting debt. He was captured by Ukrainian forces in September 2023 and has since been held in Kyiv’s Camp 1.
Ukrainian journalist Volodymyr Zolkin and other media outlets have reportedly confirmed his detention through video evidence, advising the family to pursue formal diplomatic channels.
Among those believed to be in similar circumstances are Bibek Khatri (Bardia), Siddharth Dhakal (Kavre), Vikas Rai (Morang), Pratik Pun Magar (Rolpa), Sujan Subedi (Chitwan), Ishwar Lamichhane (Makwanpur/Gorkha), and Madan Kumal (Gorkha). Families say they have received little to no verified information about their condition.
“These citizens found themselves in this situation through circumstances beyond their control,” the foundation said, urging Kathmandu to engage both Kyiv and Moscow at the highest level and, if necessary, escalate the matter to international platforms including the United Nations.
The initial response from Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been cautious. Its Emergency Response Team confirmed receipt of the appeal and stated that it had been forwarded “to the high destination,” assuring that efforts were underway to ensure the safety of Nepali nationals abroad. However, no concrete progress has been communicated so far.
Founded in 2025 in Nepal’s Dang district, the Dr. Sandesh Lamsal Foundation has rapidly expanded from healthcare and education initiatives into assertive international advocacy. Its work includes a mobile health application and disaster-response campaigns, alongside growing engagement with diaspora issues.
Dr. Sandesh Lamsal, who has previously participated in humanitarian efforts in Russia following the 2015 Nepal earthquake and volunteered during major global sporting events, brings a rare mix of grassroots experience and international exposure.
“This is not charity; this is justice,” the foundation stated, underlining its approach of combining humanitarian concern with direct action.
The intervention comes at a time when Nepal continues to grapple with the consequences of labour migration and the risks of recruitment into conflict zones. By making its appeal public and bypassing conventional diplomatic restraint, the foundation has forced urgent attention onto an issue that has lingered in silence.
For the affected families, this marks the first sign of organised advocacy in nearly 30 months. For the government, it presents a test of resolve — whether it can translate acknowledgment into action.
The fate of these young men is no longer a distant diplomatic issue. It is a question of accountability, urgency, and national responsibility.
