I am in Crimea/occupied parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions and I am being conscripted in order to participate in the war: what to do?
IMPORTANT
- All residents of the temporarily occupied territories of Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk regions are citizens of Ukraine according to Ukrainian legislation (even if you were forced to take an illegal Russian passport)!
- If you were forced to join the Russian armed forces or illegal armed groups affiliated with them, you will be treated by Ukraine as a victim of Russian war crimes.
Those responsible for these actions will be criminally liable under Article 438 of the CC of Ukraine (10-15 years imprisonment) in Ukrainian courts or in the International Criminal Court for violation under Article 8-2 (b) xv of the Rome Statute.
WHAT TO DO?
1. Sabotage your service with the aggressor’s troops:
- Personally avoid receiving summonses and phone calls from the occupying “military office”.
- Change your telephone number or stop using it temporarily.
- Temporarily change your place of residence and do not report it in any way.
- If they managed to contact you, do not refuse to perform your “military duty” directly, but give your reasons why you cannot serve. The list of reasons is here.
2. If you did get mobilised:
- As soon as you enter Ukrainian-controlled territory (encounter the Ukrainian army), surrender at the first opportunity and report that you are a Ukrainian citizen from Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk regions (even if you have no supporting documents with you, we will establish this). Then you will only remain a victim of war crime for Ukraine and can safely return home alive later.
- Do not follow illegal orders, do not shoot civilians and civilian objects. If you do, such actions will qualify as crimes with no statute of limitations and sooner or later you will have to be held accountable for it in court.
P.S. If you voluntarily join the Russian armed forces and take part in the war with Ukraine, such participation will be considered a crime under the national legislation of Ukraine – up to 15 years imprisonment. If you are in a command position, be prepared to answer in the International Criminal Court (The Hague).