Father Dies of Kidney Disease in Malaysia, Son Who Went to Russia for Debt Repayment Becomes a Prisoner of War in Ukraine
Image credit, Ukrainemediacenter and Family Handout
Pratik Pun from Runtihadi Rural Municipality, Rolpa, who had gone to Russia three years ago with the dream of repaying debts after his father, who returned from foreign employment due to kidney problems, passed away during treatment.
His mother, Tilakumari, borrowed more loans to convince her son not to go to a “big country.” “We are poor and unhappy, we do not wish to see a big country. If you want to earn, go to Malaysia,” she told over the phone on Monday.
His uncle had suggested learning Korean and going to Korea, but Pratik did not pursue this option because passing the language exam would take a long time.
Tilakumari does not know how her only son, who planned to go to Portugal, ended up in Russia. What she remembers most is the ‘1.3 million NPR debt’ her son left behind.
After reaching Russia, Pratik told his mother he was there on a student visa. Later, he informed her that he had been recruited into the Russian army. After promising to send five hundred thousand NPR, Pratik lost contact, Tilakumari shared.
Within a few months of arriving in Russia, on the 25th of December 2023 (Mangsir 2080 BS), news came that Pratik was captured by the Ukrainian army and became a prisoner of war. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on January 18 that Pratik Pun from Rolpa, along with Vivek Khatri from Bardiya, Siddharth Dhakal from Kavrepalanchok, and Vikas Rai from Morang, are prisoners of war in Ukraine.
Nepalis from districts such as Chitwan, Khotang, and Gorkha, who went to Russia and were recruited into the Russian army, are also prisoners of war in Ukraine, according to the ministry. Among them, five, including Pratik, have been prisoners of war in Ukraine since 2023.
Pratik’s father, who had worked in Malaysia for 11 years, was diagnosed with kidney problems. After three years of dialysis treatment in Nepal, he passed away four years ago, Tilakumari said.
Relief After Watching Video
Image credit, FamilyHandout
In March 2024, Ukraine released video footage of prisoners of war including five Nepali citizens and urged countries, including Nepal, not to allow recruitment into the Russian army.
Pratik appears in the video of foreign nationals recruited into the Russian army captured by Ukrainian officials. After more than 125 Nepalese youths recruited by Russian forces have lost their lives, seeing the video confirming Pratik’s wellbeing brought relief to Tilakumari. In letters, her son writes that he is doing well, but she remains anxious until she sees those letters. Tilakumari is determined her son will one day return safely to Nepal and work as a wage labourer to repay the debts.
“If as many people as possible come, they can live even in a hut or on the street if they have hands and feet; they have to survive, what else is there,” she said.
Since the full-scale Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022, reports say Nepalis have been recruited into the Russian army. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 125 Nepalis recruited by the Russian army are missing.
How Many Nepalis Have Been Taken Prisoner by Ukraine?
Image credit, ukrainform tv
Pratik has been writing letters to his mother every three months from prison in Ukraine. The letters arrive in Bijauri, Tulsipur Sub-metropolitan City of Dang District, where the mother, who relocated from Rolpa, has been working as a daily wage laborer for several years.
“He writes in the letter that he is not alone, Mommy. There are six or seven of them, and he tells me not to worry,” said Tilakumari.
“But still, it is stressful because it concerns my only son.”
Tilakumari visits Singha Durbar every year to appeal repeatedly to Ukraine for the safe return of her son. She also meets families of other prisoners of war there.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, currently, nine Nepali citizens are confirmed prisoners of war by Ukraine. Nepali officials are working to bring them back home.
Previously, only eight Nepali prisoners of war were known from lists published by the International Red Cross. Last Thursday, the Nepali diplomatic mission requested updated information on Nepali prisoners of war in Ukraine.
Hope Renewed by Foreign Minister’s Talks
Image credit, FamilyHandout
Last week, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal spoke by phone with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, requesting efforts for the repatriation of Nepali prisoners of war.
Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Paudel Kshetri said discussions between the two governments focused on the safety and repatriation of Nepali citizens.
“We have adopted all measures for the protection and welfare of our citizens. Our diplomatic missions are active,” Kshetri stated.
He noted that Nepali officials have also communicated with Russian authorities concerning the safety and welfare of Nepali citizens.
During the Victory Day parade on Saturday, when Russian President Vladimir Putin said the war with Ukraine would soon end, Nepali officials and families of prisoners of war felt more hopeful. However, Ukraine has not clarified whether the Nepali prisoners will be directly returned to Nepal or handed over to Russia.
This phone conversation with Nepali ministers has raised Tilakumari Pun’s hopes for her son’s early return.
“There is great hope with the new government’s efforts. If the government certifies and sends him, even one document would clarify everything. Right now, things are all fragmented,” she said.
Seven Other Nepalis Detained in Ukraine Return Home
Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, nine Nepalis accused of illegal residence in Ukraine have been returned home with the assistance of the Nepali Embassy in Germany and the Non-Resident Nepali Association.
“Seven Nepalis arrested on charges of illegal residence in Ukraine have been repatriated in three stages. However, they are not prisoners of war,” said Sagar Prasad Phuyal, Acting Nepali Ambassador in Berlin.
According to Phuyal, they had entered Ukraine via Moldova without proper travel documents. Lokmani Dhakal from the Non-Resident Nepali Association in Germany helped the embassy with the repatriation process.
Due to flight suspensions and refusal of Moldova to issue visas because of their illegal status, lengthy diplomatic efforts were required to bring them through Germany to Nepal, Phuyal said.
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