Indonesia has launched an investigation into Ukraine’s claim that at least eight of its citizens were recruited to fight in the Russian army. Jakarta authorities are trying to determine the individuals’ identities, citizenship and the circumstances under which they traveled to Russia.
Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SZRU) published scanned copies of seven electronic visa applications and one migration card that it said were linked to Indonesian citizens allegedly recruited into the Russian army last week.
Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang said the available information was being compared with records held by diplomatic missions and other ministries. Mewengkang said verification was continuing regarding the individuals’ identities, citizenship, recruitment process and the nature of their activities in Russia.
Authorities examine whether the individuals were taken to Russia
Indonesian authorities will also investigate whether the individuals were deceived by fake job offers and taken to Russia through human trafficking. If this possibility is confirmed, Jakarta authorities are expected to take steps to protect the eight individuals.
Officials said the individuals could lose their Indonesian citizenship if it is confirmed that their participation in Russia was voluntary.
SZRU claim involving citizens of other countries
The SZRU alleged that Russia had also offered citizens of Nepal, Cuba, Kenya and India high pay, noncombat roles and expedited Russian citizenship to recruit them into its army.
Indonesia is pursuing a nonaligned foreign policy regarding the war in Ukraine. Yvonne Mewengkang stressed that the actions of individual citizens do not reflect Jakarta’s foreign policy or its neutral stance in the conflict.
Jakarta-Moscow relations
Russia announced that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will be a leading foreign guest at the Eastern Economic Forum, which will be held in Vladivostok from September 1 to 4. Prabowo traveled to Moscow in July 2024 to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trade between Jakarta and Moscow is worth billions of dollars. However, Indonesia’s large-scale arms purchases from Russia stopped after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and launched a full-scale attack on Ukraine.
