Autumn conscription: are Crimeans to serve in the Russian army?

Are Crimeans to serve in the Russian army? And what if you received a summons? How high is the probability that he was on military service in the Russian army krymchanin may be in the conflict zone in the Donbass or Syria? And whether Crimeans can refuse to serve in the Russian army?

Human rights activists believe that the appeal in the Russian army in the territory annexed Crimea contrary to international law, but is now on the peninsula declared a third appeal. Are Crimeans to serve in the Russian army? And what if you received a summons? This is in Ukrainian studio “Krym.Realii” conversation with a member of ATO, migrants from the Crimea – Sergei Vikarchuk, and a member of the Human Rights Council under the President of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Standing Commission of the HRC on civil-military relations, the director of the Judicial Group “Citizen. Army. Law “, member of the Moscow Helsinki Group – Sergey Krivenko.

According to the statement of the Russian military commissariat of the peninsula, in the spring of 2016 more than a thousand Crimean people have joined the ranks of the Russian army. Kremlin-controlled military Crimea Anatoly Maloletko Commissioner said that this year, the peninsula was the plan of the Russian Federation has 1,600 conscripts. All of them will serve in the Crimea.

Coordinator of the Human Rights Group of the Crimean Olga Skrypnyk said that the Crimean people may send to the service and outside the peninsula since Russia annexed Crimea included in the Southern Federal District in this year. Call for military service men aged 18 to 27 years, the life of the Russian army – 1 year. According to human rights activists, residents annexed Crimea can use international law and to refuse to serve in the Russian army.

According to the military commissioner of the Crimea Anatoly Maloletko during spring conscription in 2016 delivery plan was fulfilled by 99%. A particular problem was a delivery driver, and then played a role that the Commissioner did not consider the difficulties with renewal of driving licenses by the Russian model.

– The “Krym.Realii” visiting a refugee from the Crimea, ATO party Sergey Vikarchuk. In 2007 Sergey been serving, the training part was held in the Ukraine and in dosluzhival Perevalnoye in coastal defense. When the war began, Sergei was mobilized from the Crimea. Sergei, you have made a choice and have remained faithful to the oath. As you look at what is now Russia in the Crimea is gaining in his army guys?

Vikarchuk: Unfortunately, we can not influence it. The Russian side is not considered international law. I’m sorry guys, who are nationals of Ukraine, are automatically involved in the violation of international law. It is a pity, because I understand what the Russian army – hazing, a mess.

– What are the chances that Crimeans can be in the zone of military conflict in the Donbass, and found themselves on opposite sides of the front of his countrymen? Did you meet with the Crimeans, fighting on the side of the separatists?

Vikarchuk: Yes. There were guys from my town who fought on the side of the Donbas. They are not hiding, social networks can see their profiles. And do not be surprised if these guys in the case of full-scale conflict would be forced to stand against us.

– These people serve as a volunteer?

Vikarchuk: Those that now – more volunteers. Mobilized for military service officially there are unlikely to find – even if they were there.

– With regard to our head of the permanent commission on military Rights under the President of Russia, a member of the Moscow Helsinki Grpupy Sergey Krivenko. Sergey, how likely that he was on military service in the Russian army krymchanin may be in the conflict zone in the Donbass or Syria?

Krivenko: According to Russian law, a soldier can send to any place in the country or outside it, for that there is a formal resolution of the Federation Council or the President. That is, if officially announced the participation of the Russian armed forces at a certain point of the conflict.

There are no restrictions even for conscripts. The Russian army is being built on the basis of two principles. Most of the conscripts recruited under contract, but each year about 300 thousand people – on an appeal. And all of them can refer to any point, including participation in the conflict, with the difference that the employees at the call – after 4 months of preparation.

Only in Syria can send officially, because there is authorization for use of military force under Russian law. And the use of the armed forces on the territory of Ukraine, the Donbass, even under Russian law is not allowed. This is done informally.

– You received complaints from those who are forced to engage in undeclared military conflict?

Krivenko: Such complaints were. The servicemen refused, and, in general, the command they could not do anything other than dismissal. The Criminal Code of Russia has a separate article – failure to comply with an illegal order. And the most that for it threatens – the dismissal from the army one way or another.

Basically, of course, this applies to contract servicemen. Conscripts still trying to not use it. For those who professed pacifist, anti-militarist sentiments, I remind you that there is a law on alternative military service in Russia. And in respect of the refusal of service by conviction that this law is one of the best in the world.

– Sergey, there is a question regarding the legality of the fact that Russia conducts its appeal in the Crimea. What choice for those who received a summons?

Krivenko: Firstly, the call is not so big. 1600 – it is a little, and, according to Russian law, not every young man should serve in the army. As the army is equipped with longer contract, it is called by about one-third of young people. So what chance do not get a summons is. In addition, there is a delay for higher education, social delay. They pretty much all of them are set forth in the law.

The system is designed so that neither the military commissar, no draft board or staff draft board did not decide to delay or not. If the legal status of a person allows you to get a reprieve under a law draft board is obliged simply to issue it. So I advise the children of draft age to pay attention to it. Law relatively simple to him a lot of comments and benefits from human rights organizations.

Another important point – the eligibility criteria for health. Military service is accompanied by a huge load – mental, physical, emotional. There is a list of diseases to which the army did not call. Diseases schedule – an open document, available everywhere. There are diseases, which can live quietly in peace, but they do not call in the troops.

For example, flat feet. We have about a third of young people are not fit for service for health reasons, and that the global total. In this case, the recruit must provide military ID and dismissal from the army. This occurs when you call, during medical examination – this procedure is also spelled out in the law, and citizens have the right to ask for additional inspections if it considers that the verification of the medical recruiting office thoroughly enough. And, of course, is the possibility of alternative civilian service.

– Sergei, do you have any colleagues from the Crimea, have fallen in the service of the Russian army?

Vikarchuk: Yes, a lot. To my surprise, they are proud of it. For me to swear twice – it’s an insult. But it is their right. As they say, they have a better ankle boots. Apparently, this is the criterion by which they became more comfortable to serve in that army. I do not mind. But for me, the people in conflict with certain moral, ethical, and place there. I am glad that they are there.

– The Russian army did better in terms of material goods?

Vikarchuk: Yes, it applies to the financial allowances, and provisions. In the Russian army with this order of magnitude better. My friends there comfortably – especially when you consider that they are more interested in the financial side.

– Is there a promotion? There was information that the same officers that have fallen in the service of the Russian army, was reduced in rank.

Vikarchuk: I would not say. People occupy the same positions. It all depends on the person, his aspirations and opportunities. Everyone I know from the officer and the soldier’s composition, gradually moving the service. Not the upper echelons, but still.

– And what about the moral component of the issue? These people were given the oath twice.

Vikarchuk: These people are immoral. They recreate for themselves the image of the enemy. Man, yesterday sitting with them at the same table, help, holding out his hand, today became the enemy, which can kill. This can calm yourself, these people so comfortable. You can find yourself different excuses – more pay, better ankle boots.

But you need to have the honor and pride. And the oath given once. I’m not an officer, I am a simple soldier. I swore April 26, 2007 the Ukrainian army, Ukrainian people. Twice I do not intend, and do not understand guys who acted differently. I sincerely wish them to realize made. But, again, it was their right.

Sourse, 04/10/2016