Rubio Says US, Europe united in support of Ukraine as war with Russia enters fifth year

On 10 November, Ukraine's state-run I Want to Live project shared the story of Sukamto Ayok, a 49-year-old Indonesian from Blitar, Java, marking him as the first Indonesian captured by Russia during the war. This account aligns with the project's release on 30 October, which revealed that at least 283 Indonesians had joined Russia's military between January and September 2026, a significant increase from the ten or so who had previously fought in the previous three years.

According to Ukraine's foreign intelligence, Russia entices recruits with lucrative pay and non-combat roles, a strategy it has previously employed in Nepal, Cuba, Kenya, and India. Indonesia has responded through diplomacy and a police investigation into the matter.

Sukamto's journey began when a former classmate offered him construction work in Russia on 27 May. He arrived in Moscow on 22 July, signing a one-year contract with Russia's Defense Ministry to serve in the 39th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade. It wasn't until 30 July, during a bus ride to occupied Donetsk, that he realized the true nature of his employment—a military role.

Upon reaching the front lines, Sukamto and another Indonesian attempted to flee but were captured. He was forcibly tattooed with a number on his chest and, despite his lack of training, was deployed to Zaporizhzhia Oblast as part of an assault unit. After Ukrainian drones struck his group, Sukamto fled and eventually found refuge with Ukrainian forces.

The Indonesian government has reacted to this situation by urging Russia to halt the recruitment of its citizens. This came in response to reports from Ukraine's military intelligence on 26 October, which confirmed the death of a Jakarta taxi driver, Taufiq Muhammad, during his first battle. Earlier in September, Russia's Ambassador, Sergei Tolchenov, denied that Russia was recruiting soldiers in Indonesia.

On 2 November, Indonesian police announced five trafficking cases involving 58 victims, highlighting that some recruits were initially offered jobs related to logistics, border security, or defense construction, only to be steered into mercenary roles in Russia. Suspects include both Russian and Ukrainian nationals. Sukamto was in Ukrainian custody by October, when the POW Coordination Headquarters in Ukraine offered to allow a consular visit from Indonesia's ambassador.