World · South & Central Asia · 1 hr ago
Indonesian Police Name Eight Suspects in Russian Mercenary Recruitment Case
Indonesian police named eight suspects in an alleged human-trafficking case involving recruitment as mercenaries in Russia.
Police say 23 Indonesians were victims, and one was reportedly killed, according to the family.
The recruitment first spread through social media, police said, then expanded through contacts in Indonesia who were offered extra money for bringing in friends and acquaintances.
Police said recruits were sent to fight on the front line and could be made to keep fighting even after being injured.
Two suspects are Russian and Ukrainian nationals, while the others are Indonesian; police say the two nationalities worked together to recruit people in Indonesia.
Police also said Russia's embassy told them that recruiting foreign nationals for its military was not authorized.
Indonesian police named eight suspects in a suspected human-trafficking case involving the recruitment of Indonesians as Russian mercenaries.
Two suspects are Russian and Ukrainian nationals, and six are Indonesian nationals.
Police said 23 Indonesians were victims, including one reportedly dead, according to information from the person’s family.
Police said recruits were approached through social media and, later, through local agents including friends, partners and schoolmates.
The police chief said the Russian Embassy had told investigators that Russia did not allow recruitment of foreign nationals into its military.
- Who
- Eight suspects, including two foreign nationals and six Indonesians, were named by police.
- What
- Police are investigating suspected human trafficking through the recruitment of Indonesians as Russian mercenaries.
- When
- Police announced the suspects on November 11, 2026.
- Where
- The investigation was announced at Polda Metro Jaya in South Jakarta; the alleged recruitment involved Russia and Indonesia.
- Why
- Police said recruits were offered money and additional payments for bringing in other people.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A video went viral in which former Indonesian marine Satria Arta Kumbara said he had become a Russian soldier.
Police announced that eight people had been named as suspects in the case.
- Suspects
- 8, including 2 foreign nationals
- Victims
- 23 Indonesian nationals
- Reported death
- 1 victim, according to information from the family
- Foreign suspects
- 1 Russian national and 1 Ukrainian national
- Police announcement
- November 11, 2026
What people are saying
Saat ini telah kita tetapkan enam orang sebagai tersangka, yaitu dua warga asing dan empat warga Indonesia.
Kontraknya adalah kontrak mati.