JAKARTA, Indonesia – A former Indonesian Marine, Satria Arta Kumbara, is seeking to reclaim his citizenship after enlisting as a volunteer soldier in Russia. A widely circulated video shows Kumbara stating he was unaware that signing a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense would revoke his Indonesian citizenship.
Former Marine Seeks Return to Indonesia After Russian Service
A former Indonesian Marine who joined Russia’s military has appealed to Indonesian leaders to allow his return to the country, highlighting a plight shared by many foreign fighters drawn by promises of high pay.
- Satria Arta Kumbara, a former Indonesian Marine, seeks to regain his citizenship after fighting for Russia.
- He claims ignorance of how his contract led to the loss of his Indonesian citizenship.
- Russia recruits foreign fighters, often migrant workers, with promises of high salaries and citizenship.
- Many foreign soldiers report not receiving full pay and incurring significant debt for recruitment.
- The Indonesian government is investigating Kumbara’s legal and administrative status.
Kumbara has pleaded with President Prabowo Subianto, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and Foreign Minister Sugiono for his repatriation. His situation is not unique, as Russia has enlisted thousands of foreign troops from countries like Nepal, India, Somalia, and various African nations to fight in Ukraine.
These recruits are often not professional soldiers but migrant workers enticed by substantial salaries, residency permits, and the prospect of Russian citizenship after just one year of service.
Salaries and Incentives Dangled
Foreign soldiers serving in Russia, like Kumbara, were reportedly promised significant financial rewards. Investigative reports and accounts from former fighters indicate that monthly salaries could range from $2,000 to $2,500, equivalent to approximately 32 million to 40 million Indonesian Rupiah.
One Sri Lankan national, identified as Walasmulla, stated he was promised $2,300 per month. He claimed to have received an initial payment of $2,000 upon joining Russian forces on the Ukrainian frontlines. Walasmulla made these statements while detained by Ukrainian forces after sustaining serious injuries.
However, many foreign recruits reportedly face a starkly different reality, with some not receiving their full pay or any payment at all. Compounding their difficulties, some have fallen into substantial debt, paying recruitment agents up to $9,000 (around 145 million Rupiah) for visas and travel to Russia.
The military training provided is often minimal, lasting only about two weeks, and conducted in Russian, a language many recruits do not understand. Reports from various sources suggest that recruitment agents actively target individuals from countries like Sri Lanka, Indonesia, India, and Nepal with promises of lucrative compensation.
The Kremlin has not officially confirmed these recruitment practices. It is understood that these foreign soldiers are integrated into the regular Russian army structure rather than mercenary units like the Wagner Group.
Recruitment often occurs through social media promotions, with agents touting safe employment in Moscow, only for recruits to be sent to the front lines as expendable “cannon fodder.” Some prisoners are recruited with promises of cleared criminal records.
“They need to win the war and achieve their military goals, and the best way to do it is to employ cheap mercenaries from southern global countries who are willing to fight and die with Russians,” noted Mark Hanna, a senior researcher at the Institute for Global Affairs.
Kumbara’s Situation Mirrors Troubling Trends
The case of Satria Arta Kumbara appears to follow a similar pattern. As a former member of the Indonesian Navy Marines, he allegedly joined the Russian military for perceived economic benefits. However, lacking legal and linguistic understanding amid brutal combat conditions, he now faces the loss of his citizenship and a strong desire to return to Indonesia.
The Indonesian government has yet to issue an official statement regarding Kumbara’s request. However, both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) have indicated that they will further investigate his legal and administrative standing.
While the salaries offered to foreign soldiers in Russia may appear attractive, reaching tens of millions of Rupiah monthly, the risks are immense, encompassing exploitation, fraud, and the potential loss of life. As many migrant workers from Nepal and India have experienced, the reality on the battlefield often starkly contrasts with the promises made by recruitment agents.
Satria Arta Kumbara now embodies the dilemma faced by numerous foreign troops in Russia: lured by promises, stripped of citizenship, and desperately seeking a path home that may not be readily available.
