Australia has warned Vladimir Putin he’s not welcome in the region, amid reports Russia is seeking to base long-range aircraft in an Indonesian province near Darwin.

The military website Janes revealed that Russia wants access to an Indonesian air force base about 1300 kilometres from Australia’s northern mainland.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government was seeking further information.

“We obviously do not want to see Russian influence in our region,” he said in Melbourne.

“We have a position, which is we stand with Ukraine to regard Vladimir Putin as an authoritarian leader who has broken international law, who’s attacking the sovereignty of the nation of Ukraine.”

Janes reported that Jakarta had received an official request from Moscow, seeking permission for Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) aircraft to be based at a facility in Indonesia’s easternmost province.

Sources from the Indonesian government told Janes the request followed a meeting with Russia’s Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Sergei Shoigu, in February 2025.

In the request, Moscow wanted to base several long-range aircraft at the Manuhua Air Force Base, in the Indonesian province of Papua.

The base is home to the Indonesian Air Force’s Aviation Squadron 27, which operates a fleet of CN235 surveillance aircraft, reports Janes.

It is also houses the Indonesian Air Force’s new Ninth Air Wing, which has yet to be assigned with aircraft types.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton labelled the Russian president a “murderous dictator” and said he wasn’t welcome in Australia’s neighbourhood.

“My message to President Putin is that we don’t share any values … and we do not want the military presence from Russia in our region, which would be destabilising for South-East Asia,” he said.

“It would certainly be a very different calculation for the risks that posed to our country in a period that is very uncertain.”

Dutton said it would be “a catastrophic failure” for the Albanese government if it had been unaware of the request.

Russia, which has a “no-limits friendship” with China, has taken steps to strengthen its defence ties with Indonesia as its war on Ukraine drags into a fourth year.

Russian deputy trade and industry minister Alexey Gruzdev addressed a business forum held in Jakarta on Monday, stressing Moscow’s commitment to boosting co-operation.

The deepening defence relationship between Moscow and Jakarta has alarmed Canberra.

Albanese said the federal government regarded Indonesia as a friend.

“What we’re seeking is proper clarification. That’s the way you deal with international relations. Making sure that you’re not flying from the hip,” he said.

“We’ll respond in an appropriate way with our friends in Indonesia.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she was aware of the reports.

“I can be clear that we, as a government, have reached out to confirm those reports and to understand whether or not those reports are accurate and what the status of those requests from Russia are,” she said.

“As you know, Russia is engaging in an illegal and immoral war against Ukraine, and you would know that the Australian government has imposed a great many sanctions on Russia and continues to provide both military and humanitarian support.”