Indonesian Taxi Driver Killed in His First Battle for Russia, Ukraine's DIU Says

Ukraine's Defence Intelligence (DIU) has identified another foreign recruit killed while fighting for Russia: Indonesian Taufiq Muhammad, born on May 22, 1978 in the city of Sorong. DIU published the details on October 26, 2026. According to DIU, he signed a contract with the Russian army on April 19, was trained for about a week and a half, and died in his first battle in Donetsk region.

A Taxi Driver With Work Experience Abroad

Before going to Russia, Taufiq lived in the city of Surabaya on the island of Java, DIU said. In Indonesia he worked as a taxi driver in Jakarta and as a manager at an agricultural company. DIU adds that he had worked in the United States and spoke English.

Found Through a Job Application

DIU says Russian recruiters found Taufiq through a CV he had sent while looking for work. The agency believes he probably trusted promises of "easy money" and travelled to Moscow, and describes him as another victim of Russia's deceptive recruitment of foreigners.

Signed on April 19, at the Front by Early May

According to DIU, Taufiq signed his contract on April 19, 2026 in Korolov, near Moscow. The term was one year, which DIU calls typical for the foreigners Russia recruits. He was assigned as a machine gunner and sent to a training centre near Voronezh, where he spent only about a week and a half. In early May, DIU says, he was moved to the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine.

The Documents DIU Published

DIU released document images with its report. The first one is passport of Taufiq Muhammad.

The other two images are a Russian military certificate and its second page. The certificate was issued by the contract military service selection point in Korolov, Moscow region, and is dated May 4, 2026. It states that Taufiq is serving under contract in the Russian armed forces, that his contract was concluded on April 19, 2026 for one year, and that Russia concluded it through the head of the selection point. The second page records that he was appointed machine gunner by an order of the head of the selection point dated April 19, 2026. It is signed by the head of the selection point, Lieutenant Colonel R. Khanenko.

Killed in His First Battle

DIU says Taufiq died almost immediately, in his first battle. It took place during a Russian attempt to advance from the village of Zelena Dolyna in Donetsk region toward Novoselivka and Drobysheve.

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.