Jakarta. Russia’s ambassador to Indonesia, Sergei Tolchenov, said Wednesday he had no information about Satria Arta Kumbara, a former Indonesian marine who reportedly joined the Russian military as a mercenary in the war in Ukraine.

Tolchenov stressed that any such involvement would have been entirely voluntary and denied that the Russian Embassy in Jakarta or elsewhere had conducted recruitment activities.

“I emphasize that the Russian Embassy in Jakarta, or anywhere, has not recruited personnel for the Russian Armed Forces,” the ambassador told a press briefing in Jakarta.

Indonesia has already revoked Satria’s citizenship, citing constitutional provisions that prohibit nationals from serving in a foreign military.

Tolchenov said he first learned of Satria’s case through Indonesian media reports and later confirmed with Russia’s defense attaché, who also had no information on the matter.

He acknowledged, however, that foreigners can voluntarily sign contracts with the Russian military. “Professional personnel who are Russian citizens, or in some cases foreigners, can sign contracts with the Russian military,” he explained.

Tolchenov added that Russia bears no responsibility for the consequences Satria may face at home. “If Satria Kumbara has violated Indonesian law, it is his own responsibility, as he should have understood what he could and could not do as an Indonesian citizen,” he said.

The envoy also noted that the Russian Embassy in Jakarta has not received any request for assistance from either the Indonesian government or from Satria and his family.

Satria, a former Indonesian Navy marine dishonorably discharged for desertion, admitted in a viral apology video that he signed a contract with the Russian military for economic reasons without understanding the legal consequences. He has since expressed a desire to return to Indonesia and regain his nationality.

Under Law No. 12/2006 on Citizenship, Indonesians who join a foreign military without presidential approval automatically lose their citizenship. To regain Indonesian nationality, Satria would have to undergo a naturalization process. However, he remains bound by his contract with the Russian military and would also face legal consequences at home for desertion from the Indonesian armed forces.

Indonesia has maintained a neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, refraining from taking sides while consistently urging peace and dialogue. Jakarta has called for a peaceful resolution based on international law and the UN Charter, while also stressing the need to protect civilians and ensure global food and energy security affected by the war.

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