"They applied (for civilian jobs), but were eventually sent off to serve as soldiers. That is the information we have received," Ahmad stated here on Tuesday.
Ahmad noted that this information was obtained from intelligence authorities. According to the deputy speaker, the recruitment was facilitated by a third party from another country offering highly paid job opportunities.
He assured the public that Indonesian intelligence services and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have taken proactive measures. The agencies are coordinating closely and have dispatched envoys to the relevant countries to address the issue.
Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Indonesian government is currently verifying reports of its nationals allegedly joining the Russian armed forces.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Yvonne Mewengkang, explained that the verification is being conducted through Indonesian missions abroad in coordination with relevant ministries and agencies.
"Information regarding the identities, citizenship statuses, recruitment processes, and the nature of the involvement of these individuals still requires further confirmation," she said in a written statement issued on Monday (August 31).
Mewengkang emphasized that if the involvement of these Indonesian citizens is verified, it constitutes a purely individual decision and does not represent the policies or stance of the Indonesian government.
The investigation comes after Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service reported via Telegram on August 27 that Russia had recruited at least eight Indonesian citizens into its military ranks.
According to a report by the Ukrainian digital newspaper The New Voice of Ukraine, Ukrainian officials obtained documents detailing Russia’s efforts to enlist foreign nationals to bolster its forces and advance state propaganda.
In response, the Indonesian government is looking into whether human trafficking, deceptive recruitment, or fraudulent job schemes were used to entice Indonesian citizens into military service.
"If any Indonesian citizen has fallen victim to such a process, the Indonesian government will take all necessary protective measures in accordance with applicable laws," Mewengkang stressed.
Related news: Indonesia probes report of citizen recruited by Russian military
Related news: Indonesia revokes ex-marine's citizenship over Russian service
Translator: Bagus Rizaldi, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2026
