September 1, 2026 | 04:08 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Russian Embassy in Indonesia does not conduct any form of recruitment for the Russian military, asserts Russian Ambassador to Indonesia, Sergei Tolchenov, on Tuesday. The remark comes following the controversy surrounding alleged Indonesian nationals joining the Russian Armed Forces.
"Russian representative offices anywhere in Indonesia are not conducting any recruitment for the Russian armed forces," Ambassador Tolchenov says after a press conference for the Moscow City Tourism Committee (Mostourism) roadshow in Jakarta.
While he does not deny that some foreigners—including workers, students, and even tourists—decide to join the Russian military, he emphasizes that such decisions remain the personal responsibility of each individual.
Russian embassies across the world are not involved in the military recruitment process of foreign nationals, Tolchenoc asserts.
Meanwhile, Tolchenov acknowledges that the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is investigating the whereabouts of eight Indonesian citizens suspected of joining the Russian military.
In response to these efforts, the Russian Ambassador expresses readiness to assist in the investigation upon request.
Previously, it was reported that eight Indonesian citizens were recruited by the Russian armed forces to fight in the war against Ukraine, according to a report published by the Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service on August 27 via Telegram.
According to The New Voice of Ukraine on Monday, the agency stated that it had obtained documents confirming the recruitment.
The media outlet said the effort allows the Kremlin to bolster its military strength by using foreign nationals as part of its propaganda.
Meanwhile, in a written statement in Jakarta on Monday, Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang confirmed that the ministry was looking into the report. Indonesia, she said, is also investigating the possibility of fraud, exploitation, or a deceptive recruitment process involved to entice Indonesians to join the Russian military.
Read: Are More Indonesians Joining the Russian Military?
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