Ukraine Detains First Indonesian National as Prisoner of War Amid Surge in Russian Recruitment from Southeast Asia

Ukraine has taken its first Indonesian prisoner of war, as the country reports a surge in Russian recruitment efforts targeting citizens from Southeast Asia.

A 49‑year‑old Indonesian national from Java, who had been sent to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region to join a Russian offensive, fled to Ukrainian‑controlled territory following a drone strike. He was subsequently apprehended by Ukrainian forces, the government’s “I Want to Live” portal reported.

The “I Want to Live” initiative says roughly 283 Indonesians have been recruited to fight for Russia in the first nine months of this year, a dramatic increase from fewer than ten over the preceding three years.

The Russian embassy in Jakarta has not yet commented on the recruitment allegations, though Russia has previously turned to foreign fighters to bolster its military operations.

In February, Kenyan intelligence agencies disclosed that over 1,000 Kenyans had been recruited to join Russian forces.

Russians are increasingly recruiting combatants from a range of African nations—such as Kenya, Uganda and South Africa—as well as other regions, in an effort to prolong the conflict that began with its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Jakarta called on Moscow this month to guarantee that no Indonesian citizens are conscripted into the Russian military, after an Indonesian national reportedly died while serving there in October.

Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang said the government has requested Russia take all required measures to prevent its nationals from being recruited into the Russian military or any related positions.

She added that Indonesia is especially worried that such recruitment could amount to human trafficking.

Indonesian police later announced the discovery of a human‑trafficking ring that targeted nationals, using social‑media platforms and messaging apps to lure victims.

Recruitment ads promised well‑paid positions in logistics, border security and defense construction. However, once in Russia, applicants were pressured to sign mercenary contracts and some were sent to combat zones, according to police.

The government‑run “I Want to Live” initiative, launched in September 2022 by Ukraine’s Prisoner of War coordination headquarters with backing from the Ministry of Defence and Defence Intelligence (HUR), aims to provide a safe surrender pathway.

The program is intended to enable active‑duty soldiers—both Russian servicemen and foreign nationals recruited by Moscow—to surrender safely and leave the front lines.

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