Russian Army draft campaign begins in Crimea
Since October 1, the Crimean authorities are launching an autumn conscription campaign in Sevastopol, following which 400 residents of Sevastopol will be sent for service in the Russian army, as reported by the Crimean Human Rights Group (HRG) on Facebook.
On September 27, the website of the government of Sevastopol reported that this was announced at the meeting of the conscription commission chaired by the Deputy Governor of Sevastopol, Yuri Krivov.
Out of 400 drafted, more than 100 people will serve outside the borders of the Crimea.
"Our conscripts will be sent to military units in Sevastopol, Crimea, Krasnodar Territory, Rostov and Moscow regions, and other territorial entities," said Russian military commissar of Sevastopol, Alexei Astakhov.
Earlier, the Crimean Human Rights Group explained that the appeal to Crimeans, including residents of Sevastopol, for the Russian army violates the norms of international humanitarian law.
"The call for the inhabitants of the occupied territories to [join] the ranks of the army of the occupying power, as well as the continuing propagation of service in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, violate Article 51 of the Convention on the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War (Fourth Geneva Convention), and the transfer of drafted citizens of Ukraine from the occupied territory to the territory of the Russian Federation violates Article 49 of this Convention, " the Crimea HRG noted.
Additionally, the group asks Crimean residents to send e-mails to crimeahrg@gmail.com with materials confirming the military conscription in the Crimea (e.g. summons, photo and video materials).
"These materials, while respecting confidentiality, will help in the work to end the draft on the territory of the peninsula," the organization believes.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has expressed strong protest over the draft campaign in the Crimea.