Eskender Bariiev, the Head of the Board of the Crimean Tatar Resource Center, member of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, told the Voice of America that mobilization in the occupied Crimea is conducted secretly.
“In terms of mobilization, it is conducted secretly. It is impossible not to take into account the fact that Russia is currently holding a spring draft. This draft was announced in Crimea from the 1st April to the 15th July. In other words, within this draft, they are sending call-up papers to young people and trying to increase the conscription age to recruit more people,” he explained.
Bariiev reminded that the Russians have a list of Crimean Tatar people who evade service in the Russian armed forces and are subject to search.
“For our part, the Crimean Tatar Resource Center launched a Mohilizatsiia campaign in autumn. Through this campaign, we are trying, on the one hand, to inform people how to evade mobilization. Also, we are collecting lists of people who distribute lists and are in commissions, and warn them that they are criminals,” the expert added.