Deputy Speaker of the DPR RI, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad.

progresifjaya.co.id, JAKARTA – Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) Sufmi Dasco Ahmad confirmed reports that eight Indonesian citizens (WNI) have joined the Russian army. This information was obtained from Indonesian intelligence sources.

According to him, the Indonesians were recruited by a third-party country. Initially, they were presented with job openings for roles such as security guards or administrative staff, accompanied by promises of high salaries.

“We received information from our intelligence authorities that the military recruitment was carried out by a third-party country. They made it appear as though the openings were for security or administrative positions, enticing candidates with high salaries,” explained Sufmi Dasco at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

The Indonesians applied for these positions, but unexpectedly, they ended up being deployed as soldiers for the Russian army.

“So, these Indonesians applied, and from there, they were ultimately sent to serve as soldiers. That is the information we received,” said Sufmi Dasco.

He noted, that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with intelligence agencies, has taken proactive measures and coordinated with local authorities by dispatching envoys to the countries involved.

Previously, Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service (FISU) revealed that at least eight Indonesian citizens had been recruited by the Russian armed forces to fight against Ukraine.

FISU disclosed this information in a recent official statement. The Ukrainian intelligence agency stated it had obtained documents regarding at least eight Indonesians recruited into the ranks of the Russian army.

“Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service has obtained documents regarding at least eight Indonesian citizens recruited into the ranks of the Russian occupation armed forces,” the FISU statement read.  FISU states that Russia is systematically recruiting foreign nationals to meet personnel needs on the battlefield. According to Ukrainian intelligence, this recruitment is also used to construct a narrative regarding international support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The report further notes that foreign nationals are recruited through various offers, including high pay, non-combat roles, expedited Russian citizenship, and social benefits.

“Promises of high salaries, non-combat duties, expedited Russian citizenship, and social benefits attract individuals who often do not know where they will actually be sent,” FISU wrote. (Bembo)