Ukraine says it captured first Indonesian prisoner of war amid reported Russian recruitment surge

Ukraine says it has captured its first Indonesian prisoner of war in the Zaporizhzhia region, in a case it links to a reported rise in Russian recruitment from Indonesia. The man, described as 49 and from Java, was taken to the area to take part in a Russian assault, according to Ukraine's state-run I Want to Live project. He later reached Ukrainian-held territory after the group came under drone attack and was then captured by Ukrainian forces.

The project said 283 Indonesians were recruited in the first nine months of this year to fight for Russia against Ukraine. It said that figure compares with fewer than 10 recruits in the previous three years. The Russian embassy in Jakarta did not immediately respond to questions about the alleged recruitment effort.

The case adds to a wider pattern Ukraine and other countries say has emerged as Moscow seeks to sustain its war effort. The row cites earlier reports from Kenya that more than 1,000 Kenyans had been lured to fight for Russia, and says people from several African countries have been drawn to the front line. Ukraine's war, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, is now in its more than fourth year and continues to rely heavily on manpower and foreign recruitment claims from both sides.

The development also has diplomatic implications for Indonesia, whose authorities have recently warned Moscow to ensure no Indonesians are drafted into Russian military service. That appeal followed the reported death in October of an Indonesian national serving with the military. Indonesian foreign ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang said Jakarta had asked Russia to take all necessary steps to prevent Indonesians from being recruited into the Russian military or any military-related position through any avenue.

Indonesian police have also said they identified a human trafficking syndicate targeting nationals through social media and messaging apps. According to the police account in the row, the posts promised jobs in logistics, border security and defence construction, but applicants who travelled to Russia were then directed to sign contracts to serve as mercenaries. Some were later deployed to conflict zones, the police said.

What remains unclear is the man's current legal status, whether he will be treated as a prisoner of war under international law, and how many Indonesians may still be serving with Russian forces. It is also not clear whether the recruitment described by Ukraine reflects organised state policy, private intermediaries, or trafficking networks. The case is likely to keep attention on foreign recruitment into the war and on efforts by Jakarta to protect its citizens from being drawn into it.

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