The Story of Sukamto Ayok
Sukamto Ayok, an Indonesian national, became the first known Indonesian mercenary fighting for Russia to be captured by Ukrainian forces. He was enticed to travel to Russia with a promise of a construction job. However, upon arrival in Moscow, he was coerced into signing a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense and assigned to the 39th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade.
Originally from Blitar, a city on the island of Java, Sukamto received the offer to go to Russia from his former classmate Aryo Aryanto on May 27, 2026. On June 22, 2026, he traveled to Moscow accompanied by a man named Charles Kumar. Once there, they were housed in an apartment shared with two Russians. Soon after, Sukamto discovered he had been recruited into the Russian military and, along with 12 others, was transported by bus to the occupied Donetsk region.
Military Service and Capture
During his service, Sukamto was forcibly tattooed with a number on his chest and engaged in assault operations near the Zaporizhzhia front. His unit was targeted by Ukrainian drones in one operation, leading to his capture by Ukrainian forces. Since then, he has been held as a prisoner of war by Ukraine.
Diplomatic efforts to secure consular access to Sukamto began in October 2026. Dmitry Usov met with Indonesia's ambassador to Ukraine, Arif Basalamah, where they arranged for an Indonesian consular visit to the captive. Indonesia also formally requested Russia to stop recruiting its citizens into the Russian armed forces.
This case highlights an ongoing trend of Russia intensifying recruitment of foreign mercenaries from economically vulnerable countries. So far, 292 Indonesians have fallen victim to Russia’s recruitment campaign. Yvonne Mevenkang emphasized Indonesia’s stance, stating,
“we want no Indonesian citizen to be recruited into the Russian armed forces.”
The incident is part of a broader pattern in which Russia enlists foreign fighters from various nations, including North Korea—which has confirmed its troops’ involvement alongside Russia—as well as African mercenaries from Cameroon. Reports indicate Russia also recruits mercenaries in Syria by offering expedited Russian citizenship. Additionally, around 15,000 Nepalese residents and over 100 Chinese nationals, who fight for Russia without direct ties to the Chinese government, have been enlisted, according to U.S. intelligence.
Sukamto Ayok’s case underscores the serious challenges posed by Russia’s foreign recruitment practices and the difficulties faced by countries whose citizens are drawn into such conflicts. Indonesian authorities are actively working to protect their nationals and prevent similar incidents. This situation also reflects wider global trends involving the use of mercenaries in contemporary warfare, with significant implications for international security.