Indonesia Moves to Track Online Recruiters for Russia’s Army After Citizen’s Reported Death

Indonesia is stepping up digital surveillance of social media channels that recruit its citizens to fight for foreign armies, officials said on Wednesday, November 4, Antara reported. The measures follow reports that an Indonesian citizen died while serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, and Jakarta's diplomatic protest to Moscow, which we covered earlier.

Monitoring Recruitment Channels

Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria told reporters in Jakarta that the ministry is identifying the most appropriate follow-up actions to prevent recruitment by parties that could threaten national security. He said digital monitors are investigating external social media channels that facilitate recruitment of mercenaries, in coordination with the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs.

Authorities are also assessing whether predatory overseas job postings tied to foreign military enlistment amount to human trafficking, Antara reported.

Diplomatic Request to Moscow

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang confirmed that Jakarta had pressed Moscow through diplomatic channels to stop recruiting Indonesians into military or paramilitary units, and had asked for formal exemption status for Indonesians from Russian recruitment drives. She said Indonesia asked Russia to take the steps needed so that "no Indonesian citizens are recruited into the Russian military".

The Indonesian embassy in Moscow is verifying the death, identity and service status of the reported casualty, she said. The Foreign Ministry has also issued an advisory warning citizens against unverified, high-paying job offers abroad.

A Safe Way Out

Indonesians and other foreign nationals lured into Russia's armed forces have an option to safely escape the battlefield with Ukraine's "I Want to Live" project. See our FAQ for recommendations for victims of Russian military recruitment and their families.