Indonesian Citizen Joined Russian Military After Claiming Passport Purpose Was Tourism to Malaysia
One of the eight Indonesian citizens (WNI) recruited by the Russian military to fight in the war against Ukraine is reported to be from Depok, West Java. The individual is identified by the initials WOI, or Wahyu Oktavian Iskandar.
The Depok Immigration Office has addressed the situation regarding Wahyu. Immigration records show that WOI applied for or renewed his passport on 6 April 202/6 via the M-Paspor application. During the interview for the passport issuance, WOI claimed he would be travelling to Malaysia for tourism and to support his business.
“From the interview results, WOI stated his purpose was for tourism in Malaysia and to support his business as an online seller of branded shoes and bags in Depok,” said the Head of Depok Immigration, Irvan Triansyah, on Thursday (3/9/2026). Irvan noted that based on immigration data, Wahyu was registered as an entrepreneur. He emphasised that there was no information in the passport application indicating a destination of Russia.
“Because there are no direct flights to Russia. Based on the interview, his purpose was tourism. Based on the data, he is listed as an entrepreneur,” he added. He further stated that under existing regulations, WOI faces the risk of losing his citizenship for joining a foreign military.
“According to the Citizenship Law, any Indonesian citizen who participates in a foreign military without written permission from the President will lose their citizenship,” he explained.
Wahyu is a resident of Rangkapan Jaya, Pancoran Mas, Depok. His local neighbourhood head (RT), Safarudin, described Wahyu as someone he rarely encountered. Safarudin noted that while Wahyu’s identity is officially registered in the area, he was rarely seen socially.
Safarudin mentioned that the last time he met Wahyu was in early 2026. He explained that Wahyu lives with his sister, following the passing of their parents, who were retired members of the Indonesian Navy. According to the neighbour, Wahyu did not have a visible daily occupation and was essentially unemployed, though his activities outside the neighbourhood were unknown.
Safarundin expressed shock upon hearing that a local resident had become a Russian soldier. He described Wahyu as not being a naive person, but also not someone who caused trouble in the neighbourhood.
Previously, the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine reported that eight Indonesian citizens had been recruited by the Russian armed forces to fight in the war against Ukraine. The report was published on 27 August via Telegram. According to The New Voice of Ukraine, the agency claimed to have obtained documents confirming the recruitment, suggesting the Kremlin is recruiting foreign nationals as part of a propaganda effort.
On Monday (31/8), a spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yvonne Mewengkang, confirmed that the ministry is verifying the information regarding the Indonesian citizens allegedly joining the Russian military. The Ministry is coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies.
Yvonne stated that the Indonesian government is also investigating the possibility of fraud, exploitation, or recruitment through deceptive job offers targeting these Indonesian citizens.
The Ukrainian Intelligence Service released the names of the eight Indonesian citizens recruited into the Russian military as follows:
Yuda Putra Pratama
Haryanto Dwi Kencana
Erwanda
Ngangun Hudri Fadli
Muhammad Syaripudin
M Hadi Maulana
Wahyu Oktavian Iskandar
Helmi Nuraha Hakim