KATHMANDU: Diamond C Myagdeli, a former Maoist combatant from Myagdi, has been promoted to the rank of Section Commander in the Russian army, where he is currently engaged in the ongoing war against Ukraine.

Writing on Facebook, Diamond explained that economic necessity forced him to move abroad despite unfulfilled dreams from his time in the People’s War.

“Many dreams from the People’s War remained incomplete. I had to go to Russia to support my family,” he wrote.

He described his promotion from Junior Sergeant Section Co-Commander to Sergeant (Section Commander) as a step that comes with serious and challenging responsibilities.

“In the middle of a brutal war, life is never guaranteed, but one must fulfill responsibilities as demanded by wartime conditions,” he said.

Diamond emphasized that his decision to join the Russian army was purely driven by the need to provide for his family. As a former Maoist combatant who was active throughout the People’s War, he now leads the Primary Assault Section on the frontlines of the conflict.

After joining the Russian army, Diamond noted that media interest in Nepal prompted him to clarify his position via social media, reiterating that he understood the high risks but accepted them out of necessity.

Reflecting on his decade-long armed struggle for political change in Nepal, Diamond said, “Partly some changes occurred, but the core character of the brokered state could not be displaced. Even today, power remains concentrated around a handful of elites. Thousands of warriors who contributed decades for change now have to wander foreign streets just to support their families.”

Diamond and his wife, Prerana Sherpali, are both former Maoist combatants.

After the Maoist party split, he became the Myagdi secretary of the party led by Netra Bikram Chand (Biplav) before moving to Russia to join the army.