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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Conflict & Security

Meet Yayan, the Depok Resident Who Chose to Join the Russian Army

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service listed eight Indonesian citizens who allegedly joined the Russian army after being promised high military salaries.
  • One of them, Wahyu Oktavian Iskandar, known as Yayan, comes from Depok, West Java, and reportedly had no military background.
  • A friend said Indonesian authorities visited Yayan's parents' home after news of the list circulated.

Wahyu Oktavian Iskandar, a civilian from Depok better known as Yayan, has been identified as one of eight Indonesians who joined the Russian army, according to Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service.

The service said the Indonesians were recruited with promises of high salaries to serve on the front line in the war against Ukraine. FISU records show that Yayan held a Russian visa valid from April 14 to August 11, 2026.

His father is a retired Marine.

— SAA friend described Yayan's family background while saying he had no known military training.

A friend identified only by the initials SA told Republika that Yayan had no military background and, as far as the friend knew, had never received military training. "His father is a retired Marine," SA said.

News of the eight Indonesians quickly caused a stir among people who knew Yayan. SA said officials visited the home of Yayan's parents, including local military and police officers. "The Babinsa and Bhabinkamtibmas have also been to his house," SA said.

The Babinsa and Bhabinkamtibmas have also been to his house.

— SAThe friend said local military and police officials visited Yayan's parents' home after the list circulated.
About this summary

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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