Intelligence: Eight Indonesians recruited as Russian soldiers after being offered high-paid security jobs

Eight Indonesians who allegedly became Russian mercenaries were initially offered what appeared to be well-paid security or administrative jobs, according to Indonesian intelligence information cited by parliamentary deputy speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad.

Dasco said a third country handled the recruitment. The Indonesians applied for the advertised positions and were then sent to Russia to become soldiers.

“We received information from our intelligence authorities that the recruitment of the soldiers was carried out by a third country, which made it appear to be job vacancies for security guards or administrative staff, offered with high salaries,” Dasco said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Indonesia’s intelligence authorities and Foreign Ministry have coordinated on the case and sent representatives to the countries involved. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang said the government was verifying the information through Indonesian representatives and coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies.

Indonesia has clear legal provisions covering citizens’ involvement in the military service of foreign states, including possible consequences for citizenship. Mewengkang said those provisions could be applied only after the information and data had been verified through legal procedures. If the involvement is confirmed, she said, it would be an individual action and would not represent Indonesian government policy or its position.

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We received information from our intelligence authorities that the recruitment of the soldiers was carried out by a third country, which made it appear to be job vacancies for security guards or administrative staff, offered with high salaries.