Ukraine captured its first Indonesian prisoner of war, a 49-year-old man named Sukamto Ayok from Blitar on Java. The government-run I Want to Live project reported the incident on Nov. 10, stating that Ayok was allegedly tricked into joining the Russian military and sent to fight in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. This specific case highlights the severe risks facing foreign nationals recruited by Moscow. The account could not be independently verified, but it provides concrete details about the deceptive recruitment methods used by Russian forces.
Deception and capture
Ayok arrived in Moscow on July 22 after a former classmate promised him civilian construction work in May 2026. He signed what he believed was a one-year construction contract, only to discover he had agreed with the Russian Defense Ministry. The project said he was assigned to Russia’s 39th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade without any prior military training. On July 30, while being transported to Russian-occupied Donetsk, Ayok realized he had been enlisted in the military. He and another Indonesian national attempted to escape but were detained, after which Russian personnel allegedly forcibly tattooed an identification number on his chest. His unit later came under a Ukrainian drone attack during an assault in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Ayok wandered for several days before reaching Ukrainian positions and being taken prisoner. In October, Ukrainian officials met with Indonesia’s ambassador to Ukraine, Arief Basalamah, and expressed their willingness to allow a consular visit to Ayok.
Recruitment surge
Russia has recruited at least 292 Indonesian nationals into its military according to the I Want to Live project. Of those, 283 were recruited in the first nine months of 2026, compared with fewer than 10 in the preceding three years. Jakarta urged Moscow to prevent Indonesians from being recruited into its military following the reported death of an Indonesian national fighting for Russia earlier in November. Indonesian police also reported uncovering a suspected human trafficking network that advertised well-paid civilian jobs in Russia through social media and messaging apps. Some recruits were directed into military service after arriving, despite initial promises of civilian employment. Russia seeks to replenish its forces in Ukraine while avoiding mass mobilization at home. Recruitment efforts extend across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, including India, Nepal, Kenya, and Cuba. The I Want to Live project, established in September 2022, helps Russian soldiers and foreign nationals serving in Russia’s military surrender to Ukrainian forces.
