Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Indonesian National Police (INP) revealed that victims of a transnational human trafficking network recruited to serve as foreign mercenaries in Russia underwent merely one month of basic training following arrival before being deployed into armed conflict zones

"Upon arrival in Russia, candidates undergo basic health screenings regardless of age, sign employment contracts, receive one month of training, and are immediately dispatched to combat zones," said Head of Sub-Directorate 3 of the  Women and Children Protection and Human Trafficking Directorate Senior Superintendent Yolanda Evalyn Sebayang during a press briefing on Monday (2/11/2026).

She explained that traffickers lured victims using tourist visas, promising high sign-on bonuses and monthly salaries. A suspect identified as MI operated a tiered recruitment chain financed via cryptocurrency and bank transfers, earning referral commissions per candidate, according to antaranews.com. 

The INP Criminal Investigation Agency continues expanding its investigation to uncover wider syndicates and additional victims linked to the illicit network.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)