Dasco: Eight Indonesian Citizens Joined Russian Military After Applying for Security Guard Roles

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) Sufmi Dasco Ahmad has revealed that eight Indonesian citizens (WNI) were allegedly recruited into the Russian military after initially applying for vacancies as security personnel or administrative staff.

“These Indonesian citizens applied, and from there, they were ultimately sent to become soldiers. That is the information we have received,” Dasco stated at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, on Tuesday.

Dasco noted that the information was obtained from intelligence authorities. According to him, the recruitment of these Indonesian citizens was conducted by a third-party nation offering high-salary job vacancies.

He confirmed that Indonesian intelligence and the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs have taken anticipatory measures, coordinated efforts, and dispatched hundreds of envoys to relevant countries to address the issue.

Previously, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Indonesian Government is still verifying information regarding Indonesian citizens suspected of joining the Russian armed forces.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang stated that verification is being conducted through Indonesian representatives abroad, alongside coordination with relevant ministries and agencies.

“Information regarding the identities, citizenship status, recruitment process, and the nature of the involvement of the individuals mentioned still needs further verification,” Yvonne said in a written statement in Jakarta on Monday, 31 August 2026.

Yvonne emphasised that if the involvement of these Indonesian citizens is verified, such actions are individual decisions and do not represent the policy or position of the Indonesian Government.