Indonesia Verifies Reports That Eight Citizens Joined Russia’s Military

Indonesia is investigating reports that eight of its citizens were recruited by Russia and sent to the front line in its war against Ukraine, while stressing that any involvement would not reflect Jakarta’s foreign policy.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Yvonne Mewengkang said Indonesia remains neutral in the conflict and continues to support a peaceful settlement. “Indonesia remains consistent in encouraging a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and emphasizing the importance of respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law,” she said.

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If the involvement of Indonesian citizens in the armed forces of a foreign country is verified, it would be an individual act. It would not represent Indonesia’s foreign policy or the government’s position.

The reports came from Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service, which said last week that eight Indonesians had been recruited as Russian military personnel and released their full identities. Yuda Putra Prata was among the names cited.

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Indonesia remains consistent in encouraging a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and emphasizing the importance of respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.

Indonesia is checking the information through its representatives in Ukraine and Russia, as well as through coordination among ministries at home. The review will establish the individuals’ identities, citizenship status, recruitment process, and the nature of their involvement. Mewengkang said Indonesian law contains constitutional provisions concerning citizens who serve in foreign militaries or foreign legions, but any consequences would follow only after verification is complete.

She also said officials were examining whether some Indonesians might have been deceived, exploited, or recruited through job offers that concealed the real purpose of the work. “The government is also investigating other possibilities, including fraud, exploitation, or recruitment through job offers that did not match their actual purpose, which could have made Indonesian citizens victims,” she said.

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The government is also investigating other possibilities, including fraud, exploitation, or recruitment through job offers that did not match their actual purpose, which could have made Indonesian citizens victims.