The Ukrainian Armed Forces Captured Their First Mercenary From Indonesia

A unit of the occupying forces came under attack from drones.

For the first time, Ukraine has captured an Indonesian citizen who had been recruited by the Russian army. The 49-year-old man from the island of Java was part of a Russian assault group in the Zaporizhzhia region, but after a drone attack, he managed to escape to territory controlled by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. According to the Ukrainian government initiative “I Want to Live,” Russia recruited 283 Indonesian citizens in the first nine months of 2026, reports The Guardian.

The man managed to reach Ukrainian positions after his unit came under attack by drones. He was subsequently taken prisoner by the Ukrainian military.

The Indonesian government has demanded that Moscow stop recruiting its citizens. A spokesperson for the country’s Foreign Ministry, Yvonne Mewenkang, stated: “The Indonesian government has asked the Russian government to take all necessary measures to ensure that no Indonesian is recruited into the Russian army or into any other position related to military activities.”

Jakarta is particularly concerned about the possibility of human trafficking. Indonesian police uncovered a network of recruiters who posted advertisements on social media for “high-paying jobs” in logistics, border security, and defense construction. However, upon arrival in Russia, candidates were asked to sign contracts for military service, and some were sent directly to combat zones.

Russia is using the recruitment of foreigners to bolster its army. Earlier reports indicated that more than a thousand Kenyan citizens, as well as residents of Uganda and South Africa, may have ended up fighting on Moscow’s side. The Russian Embassy in Jakarta did not respond to a request for comment from The Guardian.

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