Sun Nov 10 14:28:52 UTC 2024: ## Nepali Man Recruited as a Mercenary in Ukraine War, Story Told by Ukrainian Soldier
**Donbas, Ukraine -** A Ukrainian soldier serving on the front line in Donbas shares a poignant story of Bibek, a Nepali man who was captured fighting for the Russian army. This real-life account sheds light on the dark reality of Russia’s recruitment of mercenaries from developing countries.
The soldier, whose name is withheld for security reasons, describes Bibek as a shy and gentle young man who was lured by the promise of a high-paying job in Moscow. Instead, he found himself transported to Donetsk, trained as a storm trooper, and sent to fight against Ukraine.
Bibek, who spoke some English, expressed a naive desire to simply go home, unaware of his legal status as a mercenary. He told the soldier he was motivated by his sick and impoverished mother, and the need to send money back to Nepal.
The soldier, who felt sympathy for Bibek, describes his own struggle to see the young man as anything other than a misguided individual caught in a cruel system. He points out that Bibek was just a child, barely older than his own son, and he emphasizes the unfairness of this situation.
This account highlights the grim reality of Russia’s recruitment practices, targeting vulnerable individuals from the Global South who are desperate for financial support. Bibek’s story serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of war and the exploitation of the impoverished by empires.
The soldier, who describes feeling solidarity with the peoples of the Global South, urges those considering joining the Russian army to reconsider, emphasizing the risks and consequences of participating in an imperialist war.
He ends his story with a heartfelt plea for compassion and understanding, remembering Bibek’s youthful innocence and the tragedy of his ruined youth.
First Piper 