# Indonesians Dying in Ukraine

> Indonesia requests Russia to stop recruiting citizens for Ukraine war after deaths reported.
- Title: Indonesians Dying in Ukraine · Foreign Policy | Shortify
- Summary: Indonesia requests Russia to stop recruiting citizens for Ukraine war after deaths reported.
- Keywords: indonesia, russia, ukraine war, recruitment, indonesian military, wagner group, asean, indonesian police, indonesian president, vladimir putin, ukraine defense intelligence, indonesian marine
- Source: Foreign Policy — https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/11/04/southeast-asia-indonesia-russia-ukraine-war-recruitment
- Author: Joseph Rachman
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: indonesia, russia, ukraine war, recruitment, indonesian military, wagner group, asean, indonesian police, indonesian president, vladimir putin, ukraine defense intelligence, indonesian marine
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Indonesia formally asked Russia to halt war recruitment after a Jakarta taxi driver died in Ukraine.