For the first time, an Indonesian soldier has been captured by Ukrainian forces.

Ukraine has reported the capture of its first Indonesian citizen during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, highlighting a significant increase in Indonesian recruitment by Russia. The 49-year-old man from Java was deployed to the Zaporizhzhia region but was caught in a drone attack. According to Ukraine's 'I Want to Live' program, around 283 Indonesians were recruited to fight against Ukraine in the first nine months of 2026, a stark rise from just ten in the previous three years. The Russian embassy in Jakarta has not commented on these claims. Reports indicate that Russia has been recruiting soldiers from various countries, including over a thousand Kenyans and thousands of North Koreans.