On August 20, 2025, an unusual diplomatic controversy erupted in Jakarta. The Russian Ambassador to Indonesia, Sergei G. Tolchenov, firmly denied allegations that his embassy or the Russian government had recruited Satria Arta Kumbara, a former Indonesian Navy marine, as a mercenary to fight in Russia’s war in Ukraine. The story, first brought to public attention by Indonesian media, has since drawn in questions of individual responsibility, international law, and the complex realities facing both Russia and Ukraine as they seek to bolster their military ranks.
Speaking at his residence in Jakarta’s Kuningan district, Tolchenov was unequivocal: “Personally, I, my embassy, we did not receive any request from him, from anyone, from his family, not even from the Indonesian government,” he told reporters, as quoted by TEMPO. He emphasized that the Russian Embassy in Jakarta, or any other Russian diplomatic mission, does not open recruitment channels for foreigners to join the Russian armed forces. “The Embassy of Russia in Jakarta or the Russian embassies abroad do not open registrations for joining the Russian armed forces. When I found out about this news, I asked our Military Attaché, and he stated he did not know. We don’t know,” Tolchenov added, according to Jakarta Globe.
The controversy centers around Satria Arta Kumbara, a former Indonesian marine dishonorably discharged for desertion. Satria reportedly traveled to Russia and signed a contract with the Russian military, later appearing in a viral TikTok video pleading for help from Indonesian authorities. In his message, he addressed President Prabowo Subianto, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and Foreign Minister Sugiono, asking to be repatriated and for his Indonesian citizenship to be reinstated. “I humbly request President Prabowo, Vice President Gibran, and Minister Sugiono to help terminate this contract,” Satria pleaded in his video, as reported by TEMPO.
For Russia’s part, Tolchenov insisted that any such involvement by Satria was entirely voluntary and outside the purview of Russian diplomatic channels. “Professional personnel who are Russian citizens, or in some cases foreigners, can sign contracts with the Russian military,” the ambassador explained during a press briefing, according to Jakarta Globe. “It seems that this is what this person (Satria) did. But the consequences are borne by oneself, because many countries prohibit their citizens from signing contracts with foreign armed forces,” he elaborated.
Indeed, the legal consequences for Satria have been severe. Under Indonesia’s Law No. 12/2006 on Citizenship, any Indonesian who joins a foreign military without presidential approval automatically loses their citizenship. The Indonesian government acted swiftly, revoking Satria’s nationality once his actions became public. To regain his citizenship, Satria would need to undergo a formal naturalization process—a path complicated by his outstanding contract with the Russian military and his prior desertion from the Indonesian armed forces.
Tolchenov made it clear that Russia bears no responsibility for any legal or diplomatic fallout Satria faces 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,” the ambassador said, as quoted by Jakarta Globe. He also noted that neither the Indonesian government nor Satria’s family had contacted the Russian Embassy for assistance regarding the case.
While the focus in Indonesia has been on the legal and diplomatic ramifications for Satria, the broader context is one of intensifying manpower shortages on both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. On the same day as Tolchenov’s press conference, Major Yegor Checherinda of the Ukrainian Armed Forces sounded the alarm about the dire situation facing Ukraine’s frontline units. According to Checherinda, “frontline units are operating at only about 50 percent of their intended strength,” a shortfall he attributed to a severe lack of recruits and ineffective mobilization. “The General Staff has been unable to fill the gaps on the front line,” Checherinda said, as reported by Voennoe Delo.
Despite frequent references to Ukraine’s “million-strong army,” Checherinda revealed that the actual number of active troops is likely between 200,000 and 300,000. He called for urgent legislative changes to allow the recruitment of contract soldiers—including foreigners—to shore up the army’s ranks. Checherinda also advocated for stricter mobilization measures, underscoring the gravity of the situation. “The situation can only be addressed through urgent legislative changes,” he insisted. At the same time, he noted a growing resentment among ordinary Ukrainians, who increasingly see officials from territorial recruitment centers as adversaries rather than Russian forces.
The story of Satria Arta Kumbara, then, is not just a tale of individual miscalculation and legal jeopardy—it is emblematic of a wider trend. Both Russia and Ukraine are facing acute challenges in maintaining their military strength, and both have turned, to varying extents, to the recruitment of foreigners. According to Jakarta Globe, Russia has made efforts to attract foreign nationals to fight in Ukraine, offering financial incentives and even the prospect of citizenship. Satria’s case, however, stands out for its visibility and the diplomatic discomfort it has caused.
For Indonesia, the episode has reinforced the country’s longstanding policy of neutrality regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Jakarta has consistently called for a peaceful resolution based on international law and the United Nations Charter, emphasizing the need to protect civilians and ensure global food and energy security. Indonesia’s swift action in revoking Satria’s citizenship underscores its commitment to this neutral stance—and its determination to avoid entanglement in foreign military affairs.
As the war in Ukraine grinds on, stories like Satria’s are likely to become more common. The pressures of manpower shortages, the lure of financial opportunity, and the harsh consequences of national laws all converge in the lives of individuals who, for a variety of reasons, choose to fight in a foreign war. The diplomatic fallout, as this week’s events in Jakarta show, can be swift and severe.
Ultimately, Satria’s fate now hangs in the balance. Bound by contract to the Russian military, stripped of his Indonesian citizenship, and facing possible prosecution for desertion if he returns home, his story serves as a cautionary tale for others considering a similar path. The Russian ambassador’s message was unambiguous: the decision to join a foreign military is a personal one, and those who make it must be prepared to face the consequences—often alone, and with little hope of official intervention.
In a conflict defined by shifting alliances, legal complexities, and the desperate search for manpower, the case of Satria Arta Kumbara is a stark reminder of the human stories that underlie the headlines. His plea for help may yet prompt further diplomatic negotiations, but for now, the message from both Jakarta and Moscow is clear: the risks are real, and the responsibilities are personal.
