Russia Warns Australia Over Possible Military Base in Indonesia

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Russia has taken a swipe at Australian political leaders, accusing them of "playing the so-called 'Russian card'" amid rising concerns about a potential Russian military base in Indonesia.

The issue came into the spotlight after US intelligence site Janes reported last week that Moscow had officially asked to base aircraft at Manuhua Air Force Base on Biak Island in Papua, Indonesia — around 1300 kilometres north of Darwin.

While Indonesian officials have denied the possibility of such a base actually happening, they haven’t confirmed whether the request was made or not, which has only added to the speculation.

In response to the media buzz, Russia’s ambassador to Indonesia, Sergei Tolchenov, wrote a strongly worded letter to the Jakarta Post, basically asking why Australia even cares.

"It’s hard to believe everyday Australians are genuinely worried about something happening 1300 kilometres away, between two other sovereign nations that has nothing to do with them," he said.

Tolchenov argued that any military cooperation between Russia and Indonesia is purely defensive and not aimed at anyone else in the region. Then he turned the spotlight back on Australia, calling its own military moves — including its role in the AUKUS pact — “particularly alarming.”

He also accused Aussie politicians of stoking tensions for political gain.

“It’s obvious both major political parties are trying to outdo each other in anti-Russian rhetoric. Now it’s time to play the ‘Russian card’ — to show their overseas mentors who’s more anti-Russian,” Tolchenov wrote, adding a dramatic mic-drop: “You have no cards.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese didn’t seem fazed, brushing it off at a press conference.

“Russia wants propaganda to be pushed by Australians. Of course they do — that’s what Russia does,” he said.

Interestingly, Russia hasn’t confirmed whether it actually made the request for the base. But the rumors have only grown after Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov recently met Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, and earlier this year, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu also met with Indonesia’s Defence Minister.

Meanwhile, Australia has been busy reinforcing its own strong ties with Indonesia. The two countries already have a solid defence partnership under the 2006 Lombok Treaty and a newer Defence Cooperation Agreement signed just last year. They also run around 20 joint military exercises each year.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said he spoke directly with his Indonesian counterpart, who told him there’s no truth to the Russian base reports. “He has said to me in the clearest possible terms, reports of Russian aircraft operating from Indonesia are simply not true,” Marles said.

Indonesia's Defence Ministry also backed that up, telling Reuters the report was “incorrect.”

Prime Minister Albanese emphasized the strength of the Australia-Indonesia relationship, saying it’s “never been stronger.” He also pointed out that Indonesia is a sovereign nation and makes its own decisions — but Australia will always make its own case.

And when it comes to Russia and Indonesia, Albanese acknowledged their relationship is historically quite different from Australia’s.

More updates to come on AusNewsLanka.