TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to communicate and monitor the whereabouts of former Indonesian national (WNI) and ex-member of the Indonesian Marine Corps, TNI AL, Satria Arta Kumbara, who has become a soldier for Russia. In a recently circulated video, Satria expressed his regret for fighting for Russia in Ukraine and expressed his desire to return to Indonesia.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Indonesian Embassy in Moscow continues to monitor the whereabouts and communicate with the individual," said the spokesperson of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rolliansyah Soemirat, to Tempo on July 22, 2025.
However, the diplomat, known as Roy, stated that Satria's citizenship status falls under the authority of the Ministry of Law. In the latest viral video, Satria admitted that he was unaware that signing a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense resulted in the revocation of his citizenship status.
He then appealed to President Prabowo Subianto, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and Foreign Minister Sugiono to accept him back as an Indonesian national.
Meanwhile, First Admiral TNI Tunggul, Head of the Indonesian Navy Information Service, stated that Satria Arta Kumbara is no longer part of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI AL). He added that the Indonesian Navy would not respond to Satria's request to regain Indonesian citizenship (WNI).
Tunggul emphasized that the Indonesian Navy would uphold the decision of the Military Court II-08 Jakarta, dated April 6, 2023. The decision declared Satria Arta Kumbara guilty of the crime of 'Desertion in peacetime' from June 13, 2022, until now.
According to the Verdict of Case Number 56-K/PM.II-08/AL/IV/2023, Satria Arta Kumbara was sentenced to one year in prison and dismissed from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI).
"The Verdict has been legally binding since April 17, 2023, indicating that the decision is valid and cannot be challenged," said Tunggul, on July 21, 2025, as quoted from Antara.
Prior to this, Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas stated that Satria Kumbara was considered a deserter and no longer held Indonesian citizenship status. He mentioned that Satria's citizenship status automatically ceased when he participated in military operations in Russia.
"Because if one actively engages in becoming a foreign soldier, it is mandatory to obtain the president's permission according to our laws and government regulations. If one does not have permission, then his citizenship status automatically ceases," said Supratman when met at the Ministry of Law on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
Yudono Yanuar, Dewi Rina Cahyani, Siti Nur Rahmawati, M. Rizki Yusrial contributed to the writing of this article.
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