KATHMANDU, May 18 -- Late Friday evening, Kritu Bhandari, an activist spearheading the 'Campaign to Save the Lives of Nepali Citizens' in the Russian Army, joined a WhatsApp group where an audio conversation was ongoing among a few participants.

Amidst the dialogue, a distraught young man expressed his fears, "Until yesterday, I had this thought that I came here knowing that if I have to die, I will. But this morning, when my daughter told me she had an exam, I suddenly realized that I have a family; if I die, they will be left with nothing!" he said.

He continued, imploring for help, "They will definitely kill me. Please, save me if you can. And if I may die, please ensure my body is returned to Nepal so my family can have some relief ...