Jakarta Is Now Investigating Whether They Were Deceived: Ukrainian Intelligence Exposed Eight Indonesian Citizens Recruited Into Russia's Military.

Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) has said it is verifying information about Indonesian nationals allegedly recruited into Russia's armed forces, following a disclosure by Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service that named eight Indonesian citizens with documentary evidence of their recruitment.

Spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang issued a written statement on August 31, 2026, saying the government is working through Indonesian diplomatic representations abroad and coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies. "Information regarding the identity, citizenship status, recruitment process, and the form of involvement of the individuals named still needs to be confirmed further," she said.

The Ukrainian intelligence disclosure that prompted Jakarta's response was reported on August 27, 2026, when Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service published documents of eight Indonesian citizens recruited into the Russian Army.

The Indonesian government's statement drew a clear distinction between two scenarios. If the individuals' involvement is confirmed to be individual action, Mewengkang said, it does not represent Indonesian government policy or position. But the government is also examining a separate question: whether those involved were brought in through fraud.

"The government will also examine the possibility of elements of deception, exploitation, or recruitment through job offers that did not match their actual purpose," she said. If Indonesian nationals are found to be victims in that process, the government will take protective measures in accordance with applicable law.

Indonesian law does not treat both scenarios equally. Mewengkang noted that Indonesia has clear legal provisions on the involvement of its nationals in foreign military service, "including the consequences for citizenship status," and said implementation depends on verified facts and established legal procedures. She did not specify what those consequences are.

Under Indonesian Law No. 12 of 2006 on Citizenship (Article 23), an Indonesian national who voluntarily serves as a soldier in another country's military can lose Indonesian citizenship. That is the legal framework the spokesperson's statement was pointing to, without stating it explicitly.

A Warning to Others Still Considering It

The government used the statement to warn Indonesian citizens more broadly. "Indonesia urges its nationals to be cautious about job offers in conflict zones or offers that could potentially involve them in the military activities of a foreign country," Mewengkang said.

Source: Antara

See also: Russia's recruitment activity in Southeast Asia has been going on for a while. We have previously reported on a separate list identifying personal data of recruits from Indonesia, Cambodia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Malaysia and Vietnam. That list is available here.