Jakarta. Indonesians recruited through deceptive overseas job offers were sent to fight for Russia on the front line in Ukraine after receiving just one month of military training, police said Monday, revealing new details of an alleged human trafficking operation.

The recruits were initially promised jobs in logistics, border security or the defense industry, with contracts worth $35,000 and monthly salaries of approximately $3,000, according to Brig. Gen. Nurul Azizah, director of human trafficking crime enforcement.

However, after arriving in Russia, they were allegedly subjected to medical examinations, given only a month of military training and then deployed to combat zones in Ukraine.

Police said the recruits received substantially less compensation than promised, while some had not been paid at all.

Nurul said investigators had confirmed that at least four Indonesians had been recruited and sent to Russia, while police had prevented three others from departing at Indonesian airports.

Authorities have identified at least 58 alleged victims of the recruitment scheme.

"We are coordinating with the Foreign Ministry and the Indonesian Embassy in Russia to locate Indonesian citizens who have already been sent there," Nurul said.

Tourist Visas Used to Send Recruits to Russia
Senior police investigator Chief Commissioner Yolanda Evalyn Sebayang said applicants were initially required only to submit copies of their passports and national identity cards.

They received no military training in Indonesia before departing for Russia on tourist visas.

Once in Russia, the recruits underwent medical examinations before being asked to sign military contracts.

"After arriving in Russia, they undergo medical examinations, regardless of age. As long as they are healthy, they are immediately asked to sign contracts, trained for one month and then sent straight to the battlefield," Yolanda said.

The account suggests that the recruits were not fully informed about the nature of their employment before traveling abroad.

Police are investigating the recruitment networks responsible for arranging their departures and the circumstances under which the individuals were subsequently deployed.

The Indonesian government is also working through diplomatic channels to establish the whereabouts of citizens who have already traveled to Russia.

Authorities have urged anyone with information about suspected recruitment schemes involving Russian military service to contact the police emergency hotline at 110 or the dedicated reporting number 0812-14110.

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