Antara News·Indonesia·Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 09:08 AM UTC

Indonesia tightens oversight to stop recruitment for Russia's conflict

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Laily Rahmawaty, Resinta Sulistiyandari

..Indonesians sent to Russia to serve as mercenaries are considered victims under the Constitution,

Jakarta (ANTARA) -

The Directorate General of Immigration is strengthening early-stage oversight to protect Indonesians from human trafficking and recruitment as foreign combatants for Russia.

Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko said victims are typically lured by promises of civilian jobs before being pressured or forced to remain abroad.

He emphasized that efforts to prevent human trafficking must focus on the early stages of recruitment rather than intervening only after Indonesians encounter problems overseas.

“They are not recruited on the pretext of becoming soldiers. Once they arrive, however, they face difficulties returning home. That is why we want to address the problem at its source rather than act only after it occurs,” Marantoko told reporters on Tuesday.

To disrupt human trafficking networks, the agency is pursuing three approaches: empowering Immigration Awareness Villages, conducting technology-based cyber patrols, and strengthening cross-border law enforcement.

Under the first initiative, immigration officers are deployed to villages vulnerable to human trafficking to provide counseling and support economic empowerment programs.

These include food security education and efforts to help young people find livelihood opportunities in Indonesia.

The second approach involves technology-based cyber patrols to strengthen the agency’s ability to monitor and block illegal overseas job recruitment advertisements circulating widely on social media, Marantoko said.

The third approach focuses on cross-border law enforcement, including identifying and prosecuting recruitment agents. The masterminds behind these operations are often based overseas and rely on local accomplices to recruit victims.

“Immigration is collaborating with Interpol to pursue the masterminds behind these human trafficking schemes,” Marantoko added.

He said Indonesians sent to Russia to serve as mercenaries are considered victims under the Constitution, while those responsible for recruiting them, along with their agents, will face legal action.

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