 Russia recruited 15,000 Nepalese to fight its war against Ukraine. The Russian army recruited 15,000 Nepalese to fight against Ukraine, CNN reported citing multiple sources. As Russian casualties on the battlefield mount, the government in Moscow has announced the recruitment of foreigners into its army for a salary of US$2,000 and quickly obtaining Russian citizenship. Meanwhile, the Nepali government claims only about 200 of its citizens are fighting in Ukraine on the Russian side with at least 13, having been killed in action and forecaptured as prisoners of war. The opposition Nepali lawmaker and former Foreign Minister Bimala Rai Podial said that between 14,000 and 15,000 Nepalese are fighting in Ukraine citing testimony from men returning from the front line. CNN Geo located two training centers in Russia where Nepalese and other foreigners are training before being deployed to the front line in Ukraine. Nepal urged the Russian government to stop recruiting Nepalese citizens into its army in December after at least six of its nationals were confirmed killed. The authorities then uncovered a domestic smuggling ring that recruited youths as foreign fighters for the Russian military. Earlier Reuters reported that Nepal has halted issuing foreign work permits for its citizens to work in Russia until further notice after growing numbers of Nepalese mercenaries have been reported killed fighting for the Russian army in Ukraine. The only foreign armies Nepalese law permits its citizens to serve in other Indian and British armies. The British Brigade of Gurkhas which has existed for over 200 years comprises of Nepalese fighters.