TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Head of Defense Information Bureau of Defense Ministry Brigadier General Frega Wenas Inkiriwang urges the public not to be lured by offers to join as contract soldiers in other countries.
The statement was in response to a request from former Indonesian Navy soldier, Satria Arta Kumbara, who asked to be repatriated after being contracted as a soldier for Russia in Ukraine.
"We hope that all citizens will be more cautious when there are offers to join (other countries' armies)," said Frega at the Ministry of Defense office in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
He stated that there are legal consequences for such actions. For example, for Satria Arta who has become a deserter, it will affect his military service status as well as his citizenship. "Eventually leading to the revocation of his citizenship status and rights," said Frega.
Frega hopes that such issues will not recur in the future. Therefore, the public must be more cautious if they receive similar offers abroad.
Satria Arta Kumbara became a contract soldier for Russia in 2022. He then joined the war between Russia and Ukraine in Ukraine. Satria's participation in joining the Russian forces in Ukraine was uploaded on social media. However, Satria later requested to be repatriated to Indonesia.
He conveyed this request through a video uploaded on the TikTok social media account on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
In the video, Satria asked for help from President Prabowo Subianto, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and Foreign Minister Sugiono to repatriate him to the homeland.
The former marine also asked the government for assistance in restoring his citizenship rights. He stated that his status as an Indonesian citizen had been revoked since he signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense.
"I appeal to the great hearts of President Prabowo, Vice President Gibran, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono to help terminate the contract," said Satria in a video uploaded on the @zstorm689 account on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
Satria admitted that he was unaware that his actions as a contract soldier for Russia had violated the law and resulted in the revocation of his citizenship rights. He argued that his desire to become a contract soldier for Russia was to earn a living. "I never betrayed the country at all," he said.
Chief of Naval Information Office First Admiral Tunggul stated that his institution remains firm on the decision of the Military Court II-08 Jakarta regarding Satria's status
The decision dated April 6, 2023, stated that Satria was proven to have legitimately and convincingly committed a criminal act of desertion during peaceful times.
Tunggul stated that Satria deserted from the Navy in June 2022. "Based on the court decision, Satria was sentenced to one year in prison with the additional punishment of dismissal from military service," said Tunggul on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
He said that the military court decision is legally binding. Therefore, Satria no longer has any affiliation with the Navy.
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