From Foreign Policy · Joseph Rachman · · 2m
Indonesians Dying in Ukraine
Indonesia requests Russia to stop recruiting citizens for Ukraine war after deaths reported.
In brief
Indonesia requests Russia to stop recruiting citizens for Ukraine war after deaths reported. Indonesia formally asked Russia to halt war recruitment after a Jakarta taxi driver died in Ukraine. Originally reported by Foreign Policy.
Indonesia Requests Russia
Indonesia formally requested Russia to stop recruiting Indonesian citizens for its war in Ukraine.
Jakarta Taxi Driver Death
A Jakarta taxi driver in his 40s died in Ukraine after taking a contract to work for the Russian military.
Indonesian Military Deaths
Last May, a former Indonesian Marine was confirmed to have joined the Russian military and lost his citizenship.
Brimob Police Officer
In January, a former Brimob police officer joined the Wagner Group and lost his citizenship.
September Death
In September, a 30-year-old Indonesian man was reportedly killed in a drone strike in Ukraine.
58 Cases Under Investigation
Indonesia’s police are investigating 58 cases of Indonesian citizens recruited by Russia.
Ambassador Calls
Indonesia’s ambassador in Russia received dozens of calls from families worried about relatives recruited by Russia.
Academic Viewpoint
An Indonesian academic called the government’s response a necessary step but ineffective.
Recommendations
The academic recommended President Prabowo Subianto appeal directly to Vladimir Putin to stop recruitment.
Southeast Asian Recruits
Ukraine and StopRussianRecruiters.org list 44 Southeast Asians who surrendered to become prisoners of war.
Recruitment Tactics
Munira Mustaffa compared Russian recruitment tactics on social media to scam center criminals.
Recruitment Methods
Some Southeast Asians were recruited through deceptive job ads and pressed into the Russian military with minimal training.
Regional Response
The Philippines announced an investigation into illegal recruitment activities in October.
ASEAN Response
Munira suggested ASEAN establish a framework to deal with recruitment similar to human trafficking responses.
Recruitment Impact
Southeast Asian recruits are a small fraction compared to those from South Asia, Central Asia, and Africa.
In short
Indonesia formally asked Russia to halt war recruitment after a Jakarta taxi driver died in Ukraine.
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