Crimeans illegally drafted into the Russian army are considered victims of the armed conflict in the territory controlled by Ukraine, and not criminals, remind the prosecutor's office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

Now Russia is actively mobilizing the inhabitants of the occupied peninsula to participate in the war against Ukraine. It also intimidates citizens who, since 2014, have been forcibly serving in the Russian Armed Forces with “punishment” from the Ukrainian authorities.

Such actions of the occupiers seriously violate the norms of international law and national legislation, remind the prosecutor's office. This is a fake, aimed at intimidating the civilian population of the peninsula.

“Crimeans who were forcibly drafted into the ranks of the Russian army or other illegal formations are victims of the armed conflict, not criminals. Therefore, they cannot and will not be subject to criminal prosecution by the authorities of Ukraine,” the statement says..

If it is proved that the recruit carried out illegal criminal orders that led to civilian casualties or the destruction of civilian infrastructure, he will be held criminally liable under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - violation of the laws and customs of war (from eight years to life imprisonment).