Ukraine captures first Indonesian prisoner of war amid surge in Russian recruitment

Ukraine has reported capturing its first Indonesian prisoner of war, highlighting a rise in Russian recruitment from Indonesia. The 49-year-old man was initially part of a Russian assault but escaped to Ukrainian territory after a drone attack. Ukraine's 'I Want to Live' project noted that 283 Indonesians were recruited to fight for Russia in 2023, a significant increase compared to previous years. The Indonesian government has expressed concerns over potential human trafficking linked to these recruitment efforts, urging Russia to prevent further drafts of Indonesians into its military. Indonesian police have identified a syndicate using social media to lure nationals with false job promises.