Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.  Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Sergei Tolchenov said  that the decision of former Indonesian Marine Satria Arta Kumbara to join the Russian military as a mercenary was made independently and without involvement from the Russian Embassy.

“I must emphasize that the Russian Embassy in Jakarta, or anywhere else, does not recruit personnel for the Russian Armed Forces,” he said on Wednesday (20/8/2025), as reported by antaranews.com.

Ambassador Tolchenov confirmed that foreigners may volunteer to sign contracts with the Russian military but stressed that Russia bears no responsibility for any legal consequences Satria faces in Indonesia. 

“If he violated Indonesian law, that is his personal responsibility as an Indonesian citizen who should understand what is permitted and what is not,” he added.

Satria, dishonorably discharged for desertion, lost his Indonesian citizenship under Article 23 of Law No. 12/2006 on Citizenship after joining a foreign military without presidential approval. He has since pleaded to regain citizenship, but remains bound by his contract in Russia and faces legal consequences if he returns.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)