Kapolres Metro of West Jakarta, Kombes Pol Nasriadi, during a press conference regarding the exposure of a syndicate that recruited Indonesian citizens as mercenaries for the Russian military, along with the eight suspects who were taken into custody.

progresifjaya.co.id, JAKARTA – The Polres Metro of West Jakarta have demonstrated remarkable efficiency in uncovering a syndicate that recruited Indonesian citizens to serve as mercenaries for Russia in the war against Ukraine. Eight suspects, including foreign nationals from Russia and Ukraine, have been taken into custody.

Kapolres Metro of West Jakarta, Kombes Pol Nasriadi stated during a press conference, that his team discovered the involvement of Russian and Ukrainian nationals within the syndicate.

“While they may be fighting on opposite sides in the war, here they were working together to recruit people for profit. Several Indonesian citizens were also involved in this syndicate,” said Kapolres Nasriadi on Friday, November 13, 2026.

Of the eight suspects apprehended, six are Indonesian citizens, while two are foreign nationals. The suspects have been identified by their initials or names, S (a Russian national), IM (a Ukrainian national), Niki, Jali, Ales, Amel, SA, and AR.

“Ales, an Indonesian citizen, is the wife of the aforementioned Ukrainian national,” he explained.

Kapolres Nasriadi added that, as of today, the police have also detained three Russian nationals suspected of being linked to a similar case. One of them has already been officially named a suspect.

According to the Kapolres Nasriadi, the three Russian nationals were intercepted at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, and one has since been designated as a suspect.

“The other two Russian nationals, identified as KS and FK, have been placed under the custody of immigration authorities pending further investigation,” he continued.

Kapolres Nasriadi recounted that the syndicate’s activities were brought to light following reports from families whose relatives had traveled abroad under the pretext of seeking employment. It was later discovered that these individuals had been recruited as mercenaries for Russia and had failed to return home.

“It turns out they had been recruited into the Russian military and did not return. We subsequently conducted an investigation, gathered statements, and so on, which ultimately allowed us to uncover the operation and apprehend eight suspects,” said Kapolres Nasriadi. (Bembo)