Ukrainian forces have captured their first Indonesian prisoner of war. The development comes amid a sharp rise in military recruitment by Russia in south-east Asia.
The 49-year-old man originates from Java. He was brought to the Zaporizhzhia region in Ukraine to join a Russian assault operation.
His assault group came under a drone attack. After the strike, he reached territory held by Ukrainian forces and was captured, according to the state-run I Want to Live project.
The I Want to Live project reported that roughly 283 Indonesians were recruited to fight for Russia in the first nine months of this year. By comparison, recruitment from Indonesia did not exceed 10 individuals during the previous three years.
Russia launched its invasion in February 2022. As the conflict goes on, Moscow has increasingly turned to foreign nationals to sustain its military efforts.
Earlier, in February, intelligence services in Kenya reported that more than 1,000 Kenyans had been lured into Russian service. Foreign fighters from African nations, including Uganda and South Africa, have also been drawn to the frontline.
Jakarta urged Moscow this month to ensure no Indonesian citizens are drafted into its military. The diplomatic appeal followed the reported death of an Indonesian national serving with the Russian military in October.
Yvonne Mewengkang, spokesperson for the Indonesian foreign ministry, addressed the issue. The Indonesian government asked the Russian government to take all necessary steps to ensure that no Indonesians will be recruited into the Russian military or any other military-related position in Russia through any avenues.
Mewengkang said Indonesia holds deep concerns regarding recruitment practices that could amount to human trafficking. Indonesian police subsequently identified a human trafficking syndicate targeting citizens through social media and messaging applications.
Recruitment advertisements promised lucrative employment in logistics, border security, and defence construction. Upon arriving in Russia, applicants were instead pressured to sign contracts as mercenaries and sent directly to conflict zones, police stated.
The I Want to Live initiative was created in September 2022 by Ukraine coordination headquarters for prisoners of war. Backed by the defence ministry and military intelligence, the programme helps active-duty troops and foreign recruits safely surrender and leave the battlefield.
