The prime minister has dismissed as propaganda a Russian slapdown of Australia's attempts to stymie Moscow's military influence with Indonesia.
A political storm has been brewing during the election campaign after reports Russia asked Indonesia to station military planes in its territory.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese quickly responded to say the government had assurance from Jakarta it wasn't happening.
But Mr Albanese and senior ministers have repeatedly avoided answering whether Indonesia confirmed a request had been received in line with media reports, pivoting to the assurance there would be no Russian presence.
The commentary in Australia prompted Russia's ambassador to Indonesia Sergei Tolchenov to pen an opinion piece warning those in Canberra "you have no cards" and to stop meddling with the decisions of sovereign states.
Military co-operation was "an integral part" of Russia's relationship with Indonesia and was "strictly a bilateral topic", the ambassador wrote, accusing Australian politicians of playing up fears over Russia ahead of the May 3 election.
Mr Albanese criticised Russia for spreading propaganda under an authoritarian leader.
"I'm anti-Russia ... I think that Russia has very different values under an authoritarian leader," he said, reiterating support for Ukraine.
"Russia wants propaganda to be promoted by Australians.
"I have no wish to help promote Russia's propaganda messages and I'd suggest that that's not in Australia's national interest either."
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has accused the prime minister of not being forthcoming about the full details of the saga.
Whether Russia made a request to Indonesia has become a sticking point as the coalition tries to paint Labor as inept for not knowing about the purported development before it was made public through media reporting.
"The prime minister has ducked and weaved," Mr Dutton said.
"We have asked for a briefing. It's still not forthcoming from the government."
Mr Albanese has shot back against the coalition's request for a briefing, saying: "I'm waiting for them to ask for a briefing on who faked the moon landing."
When pressed on his sidestepping about whether it had been confirmed that Russia made a request, Mr Albanese and Labor ministers attacked Mr Dutton for incorrectly saying the Indonesian president had confirmed the reports.
Mr Dutton has acknowledged he made a mistake, adding he meant to refer to government sources quoted in the media.
Labor figures said the incident proved he wasn't fit to be prime minister as he jumped the gun and verballed a world leader.
