Ukraine’s message to its nationals mobilised by Russia: "Obstruct and surrender"

ROMAN KRAVETS - FRIDAY, 4 MARCH 2022, 14:16

Source: Representative Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (link in Russian and Ukrainian)

Quote: "Those guilty of these actions will be criminally liable under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (10-15 years of imprisonment) in the courts of Ukraine or in the International Criminal Court for violations of Article 8-2 (b) xv of the Rome Statute."

Details: According to Ukrainian law, residents of the occupied territories remain citizens of Ukraine, even if they were forced to obtain a Russian passport. That is why Ukrainians mobilised by Russia in the temporarily occupied territories are called upon to obstruct their service in the aggressor's troops.

Quote: "Avoid being served a summons in person or getting calls from the occupying "military enlistment offices". Change your phone number or stop using it temporarily. Change your place of residence temporarily and do not report it in any way.

If you are still contacted, do not directly refuse to perform "military duty", but explain why you cannot serve."

Quote: "If you do get called up despite this, as soon as you get to Ukraine-controlled territory, surrender at the first opportunity and report that you are a citizen of Ukraine from the Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Even if you do not have supporting documents on you, we will be able to check this. Then Ukraine will consider you a victim of war crimes, and you will be able to return home alive and safe at a later point."

Details: Citizens of Ukraine mobilised by Russia are also asked not to carry out illegal orders, not to shoot at civilians or civilian objectives.

Quote: "If you do this, such actions will be classified as crimes without a statute of limitations and sooner or later you will have to answer for them in court.

If you voluntarily join the armed forces of the Russian Federation and take part in the war against Ukraine, such participation will be considered a crime under the national legislation of Ukraine, and would carry a penalty of up to 15 years in prison. If you are in a commanding role, be prepared to answer to the International Criminal Court (the Hague)."

Background: The military leadership of the Russian Federation has been carrying out a mobilisation campaign in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Military units of the 1st and 2nd Army Corps are currently being formed with the objective of storming settlements on Ukraine-controlled territory.