When Russia invaded Ukraine, the Russian authorities started to mobilise its resources. Natives of Central Asia, who have received citizenship of Russia, are being invited to military commissariats. Meanwhile, contract soldiers – namely, migrants who can obtain a Russian passport for their military service in the longer term, are being mobilised.
From February 24, 2022, Russia started mobilising reserve officers, including those born in Central Asia. Karimzhon Yorov, migrants’ rights defender, wrote on Facebook on March 4 that “Tajiks with Russian citizenship have said about being invited to military commissariat for three days”. However, it also concerns the natives of other countries.
Sardarbek Mamatillaev, born in the city of Osh, obtained the citizenship of Russia a few months ago. He is turning 25 this summer and he has already served in the army in Kyrgyzstan, but now he will have to serve in the Russian army.
In 2013, the federal law of Russia “On military duty and military service” was amended to include the duty for all young people who have obtained Russian citizenship to serve in the armed forces, even if they have served in the army in their home countries. The exclusion is migrants from Tajikistan and Turkmenistan as Russia has entered into relevant international treaties with these countries.
“Now they call me and tell me to come to the military commissariat, or else they would revoke my citizenship. […] I think this is all because of Ukraine. Various websites post many advertisements recruiting military conscripts now,” Mamatillaev said.
According to Karimzhon Yorov, some migrants think about fleeing to another country.
“They asked me what would happen if they do not visit the [military commissariat] or if they flee to another state. Today three [Tajiks] have asked me what would be if they renounce Russian citizenship, how much time will it take. One of them was even going to pay for it,” Yorov said.
The Tajiks told him that they obtained Russian citizenship for a better life and for the future of their children, not for war.
After hostilities started in Ukraine, thousands of citizens – both natives and immigrants from former Soviet republics, who do not agree with the course of events – have begun to leave Russia. Among them are those who fear of being conscripted and deployed to combat zones.
During Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, popular Russian websites have posted many advertisements about recruiting soldiers, even those without Russia’s citizenship.
So far, it is unclear how many natives of Central Asia are in the war in Ukraine in the ranks of the Russian army. Russia-based diasporas have failed to answer this question. It should be noted that the country has adopted the law on criminal responsibility for dissemination of fake news about the operations of any state bodies of Russia abroad. The maximum punishment can be 15 years of imprisonment. Earlier, Russia has introduced the same punishment for dissemination of fake news about the Russian army.
Human rights defender Valentina Chupik said to CABAR.asia that ex-citizens of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan who have been over the conscription age limit have told her that they have been called to the military commissariat and threatened to deprive of citizenship and forced to sign the enlistment contract.
“Citizens of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan were also called by unknown persons from some “legal firms” and offered to obtain the citizenship of Russia for three months of being a contract soldier in the Russian army. This is impossible and is a scam,” she said.
In social media, she called on migrants to stop believing the promise of a speedy citizenship process.
Migrant from Uzbekistan Bekhruz Pirmatov said that he is often called from different phone numbers and offered citizenship for serving in the army.
“Of course, this is not the military commissariat. Too many scammers right now. But I am not ready to serve now because my Russian language skills are very poor. I have some acquaintances who have already served in the army and earned good money and obtained citizenship. The people who have heavy debts want to join the army now. For example, my cousin applied to the army and is now waiting for the response. He had no other choice because he does not have a job and a place to live, and he has many debts in Uzbekistan,” Pirmatov said.
According to Vladimir Yevseyev, expert of the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies, the number of migrants who want to serve in the Russian army is increasing every year. Since the start of 2022, their number has increased approximately by 10-15 per cent. Now, according to Yevseyev, nearly 400-500 foreigners from the CIS serve in the Russian army.
“The term of contract varies from one month to five years. After the service, all obtain Russian citizenship.* Moreover, migrants who serve in the army get salaries and bonuses that can exceed the basic pay. I think more migrants could be recruited to the army, but it will not help solve the crisis between Russia and Ukraine,” Yevseyev said.
But only those soldiers under contract who have been retrained and who have good military skills can obtain Russian citizenship for one month of military service. This is rather an exclusion. Usually, the first contract is made for five years.
Websites of legal aid bureaus from time to time contain questions from migrants about the service in the Russian army. Screenshots from website 9111.ru
The number of migrants in Russia is now nearly 6 million people, according to the Ministry of Interior Affairs of Russia. Every year, this figure varies from 9 to 11 million, and over 82 per cent of legal foreign migrant workers are citizens of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
On April 1, 2022, the head of the “Union of Migrants of Russia” Mukhammad Amin Madzhumder turned to the authorities asking to call up migrants for forced military service so that they could be in the war in action areas. They try not to send contract soldiers there. According to the Federal Migration Service of Russia, they know about this statement but they have not given any comment on it.
Migrants are ready to join the Russian army in despair. Kyrgyzstani Nurbek (not his real name) have been living in Moscow for four years already and is not planning to return to his homeland.
“I am willing to be in the war for Russia. I want to obtain Russian citizenship because I have previous conviction and back home no one will offer me a good job. Many people have promised to help me obtain the citizenship, taken my money, but ripped me off. My friends told me that I could obtain citizenship and earn good money if I serve in the army. But only if I speak Russian fluently,” he said.
In addition to the Russian language, there are other requirements: legal stay in Russia, the age of 18 and older, at least 9 grades of education, and some positions require general secondary education (11 grades) or secondary vocational education (technical school or college). Besides, applicants should undergo a fingerprint check.
Moreover, applicants may apply for military posts that may be replaced by soldiers, seamen, sergeants and master sergeants. Foreigners may not apply for officership posts.
Kazakhstan
According to unofficial data, 16 ethnic Kazakhs who served in the Russian army died during the war in Ukraine in the last three weeks.
Resident of Aleksandrovo-Gaisky district of Saratov oblast, ethnic Kazakh Nurlybek Bugetaev died on March 6. He was the vehicle commander of the parachute company of the Guards, contract sergeant. He would have turned 27 in April.
It became known on March 24, 2022, that 25-year-old serviceman of the armed forces of Russia and ethnic Kazakh, Nariman Muldashev, died during the military operation in Ukraine.
The authorities of Kazakhstan keep silent about the Kazakhs who have obtained Russian citizenship and now are in the war in the ranks of the Russian army in Ukraine. Official media of the country say nothing about it as well.
The ministry of defence of Kazakhstan rejected any participation of Kazakhstanis in the military operations in the territory of Ukraine. And minister of foreign affairs Mukhtar Tleuberdi said that bringing the troops of Kazakhstan into Ukraine is out of question for the CSTO.
Kyrgyzstan
The exact number of new citizens of Russia – natives of Kyrgyzstan – serving in the Russian army and taking part in the war in Ukraine is unknown. But the shocking news about the return of the bodies of two soldiers who fought on the side of the armed forces of Russia to Kyrgyzstan confirmed this fact.
In March, Kyrgyzstani Egemberdi Dorboev was known to have died in the military operations in Ukraine. He was a common contract soldier of the Armed Forces of Russia and served in the independent reconnaissance battalion in Belgorod Oblast.
A few years ago, Egemberdi moved with his mother to Russia. He died on March 8, and relatives were told about his death on March 13. On March 25, he was buried in his native village of Kara-Oi, Issyk-Kul region, with participation of the military of Russia and Kyrgyzstan who carried the national flags of both countries.
The use of the flag of Kyrgyzstan at the farewell ceremony of the Russian soldier, though born in Kyrgyzstan, has caused a wave of discontent among the social media users and activists.
Later on, March 26, another Kyrgyzstani, Rustam Zarifulin, was known to have died. He died on March 14 during the military operations in the town of Izium, Kharkov Oblast, Ukraine. According to his relatives, Rustam moved to Sverdlovsk Oblast of Russia in 2016, where he served in the army and then became the contract soldier.
His funeral was held on March 27 in Zhaiyl district of Chui region.
Both soldiers were awarded with the Order of Courage of the Russian Federation.
According to political analyst Medet Tiulegenov, discussions of participation of Kyrgyzstan natives in the war on the side of Russia and their funerals with the use of the flag of Kyrgyzstan reflect the attitudes of the society of Kyrgyzstan, just like in 2014.
“The fact of using the national emblems and the presence of soldiers of the National Guard have caused bitter debates, mainly among those who were against the military conflict because it was somebody else’s war. In fact, these boys were citizens of another country and what was the need for using the national emblems then? It does not relate to Kyrgyzstan directly,” political analyst Tiulegenov said.
According to Tiulegenov, this debate raises not so much social as political issue.
“It is clear that Russia is our partner. But this action nullifies the attempts of the foreign ministry to show its neutral position. As a result, we look as the country that supports the war. This is bad for our country’s image,” Tiulegenov said.
Political analyst Sheradil Baktygulov has another opinion. According to him, the first deceased one was ethnic Kyrgyz and the funeral ceremony was performed according to the funeral rites of the Kyrgyz people.
“This fact shows that they were natives of Kyrgyzstan. If a native of Kyrgyzstan dies in the United States, the same rites will be performed. Do not look at the political background or try to find some informal policy of supporting armed conflicts. […] The country has stated about its neutrality and whatever happens, including funerals of the guys, has nothing to do with foreign policy,” he said.
Political analyst Emil Dzhuraev said that Kyrgyzstan has been making a serious blunder for a few years – no one has information about how many Kyrgyzstanis hold Russian passports and will take part in the military operations.
“Every person decides on their own, but it is very sad for the country, yet it does not mean that we take sides with Russia in this war,” the political analyst said.
Tajikistan
Messages about deaths of the citizens of Tajikistan and children of Tajik migrants have been reported since the beginning of the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Russian and Tajik officials do not give any comments on the situation, whereas the relatives of the deceased ones refuse to speak to journalists.
A few natives of Tajikistan are known to have died in the war in Ukraine. The bodies of Saidakbar Saidov and Ramazon Murtazaev, natives of Khamadoni district, Khatlon region of Tajikistan, were delivered to their home village on March 17 by several officers of the 201st Russian base in Tajikistan.
Yormukhammad Saidov, brother of Saidakbar Saidov, said that the latter obtained Russian citizenship many years ago and served in the armed forces of the country. He refused to tell any details to CABAR.asia and said only that his “family has eaten bread of Russia since 1992, and he is willing to fight for Russia.”
Saidakbar Saidov was killed on March 7 in Ukraine leaving three daughters and two sons living in Russia.
Nothing is known about the circumstances of death of Ramazon Murtazaev as his relatives refuse to speak to journalists.
Earlier, two other natives of Darvaz district of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region of Tajikistan, Dzhamshed Khudoiev (Kholov) and Shukhrat Abdulloev, who had served in the Russian army under contract, died during the war in Ukraine.
Saidburkhon Abdurakhmonzoda, chair of Darvaz district, said to the media that the deceased ones were not citizens of Tajikistan. According to him, one of the deceased was a tank driver, where he burned then. According to locals, Dzhamshed Khudoiev and Shukhrat Abdulloev were over 40 years old and they moved to Russia with their families 10-12 years ago.
Some messages about deaths of Tajikistanis in the war of Russia against Ukraine were not confirmed. For example, March 4, a resident of Dushanbe, Sharifamo Isoeva, was told that her 29-year-old son Khursanmurod Makhmudov, military servant of the Russian army, died in Ukraine. Later on, March 7, the news was denied.
According to Isoeva’s relatives, Khursanmurod Makhmudov served in the Russian army in 2013 and continued his contract service. Earlier, he had worked at the 201st military base of Russia in Dushanbe, and then was transferred to Samara.
There have been messages about deaths of children of Tajik migrants born and raised in Russia. For example, in late March, Russian media with reference to the military commissariat of Metallurgical district of Chelyabinsk reported the death of the native of Tajikistan, Umedzhon Davlatov, in the war in Ukraine.
Umedzhon’s parents moved to Russia from Tajikistan in 1992, and after college completion, their son was called up for military service. He served in the reconnaissance battalion of Chebarkul district, Chelyabinsk Oblast. According to Umedzhon’s friend, Pasha Airumian, he remained to serve in the army under contract after completion of the compulsory military service. According to the publication, his older brother is also taking part in the ‘special operation’ in Ukraine.
The project “Come back alive from Ukraine” is active now and it helps parents of Russian soldiers know whether their relatives are captives or dead. Defence Minister of Ukraine Anton Gerashchenko wrote on Facebook that relatives of 19-year-old Tajik Sukhrobzhon Sharopov called this number.
“Sukhrobzhon Sharopov, born in 2002, is being searched by his father who lives in Russia and brother who is in Tajikistan. He was a contract soldier in the military unit in Moscow Oblast, but his relatives do not know where he is now. He is not in contact with them. His relatives want to take him back,” Anton Gerashchenko wrote.
Moreover, the Ukrainian military published the footage of the interrogation of Russian soldier Fakhriddin Khodzhikurbon who said he was a native of Tajikistan. According to Khodzhikurbon, his compatriot Robert talked him into serving in the Russian army and he came to Ukraine as a tank commander, but “was taken captive before he could fight.”
“They told us they would send us to military manoeuvres. But it turned out that we were sent to Ukraine to fight,” Fakhriddin Khodzhikurbon said in the footage.
Meanwhile, Sochi resident Arsen Pogosian, vlogger “Sochinsky bandit” on social network TikTok said that there are also Tajikistanis who want to go to Ukraine voluntarily to fight.
“In short, guys, volunteers are needed to fight in Ukraine. And our brothers Tajiks are also going there as volunteers to defend our motherland. We are with you, guys,” he said in his video.
Arsen Pogosian failed to answer the letter of a journalist of CABAR.asia asking him to give a comment on the participation of Tajikistanis in the war.
Faridun Saidzoda, a Tajik lawyer specialising in international law and working in the International Court of Justice in The Hague, said to CABAR.asia that citizens of Tajikistan may be punished by 12 to 20 years in prison for taking part in the war in Ukraine.
This term is set forth in article 401 “Mercenary activities” of the Criminal Code of Tajikistan for persons taking part in wars abroad or serving as mercenaries under contract.
According to Saidzoda, international law, including article 47(1)(2) of the Geneva Conventions of 1977, prohibits the use of mercenaries against another state and provides for liability for their recruitment.
However, according to political analyst Abdumalik Kodirov, the threat of criminal proceedings will not stop some Tajikistanis.
“Of course, it will not stop our men of adventure. Some of them succumbed to the lure of easy money and big bucks; some of them swallowed the bait of the Russian propaganda; some wanted to apple-polish the Russian authorities in order to obtain citizenship faster; and some might have headed for trouble,” Kodirov said.
According to him, the competent authorities of Tajikistan should start investigating every case of participation of the citizens of Tajikistan in the war.
“The fact that the government of Tajikistan has taken the neutral stance on the war of Russia in Ukraine is quite understandable – we depend too much on this country. But I don’t want for the citizens of Tajikistan to remain in history as participants of this aggression. The war will be over any day now and afterwards we will need to look into the eyes of those people whose houses were destroyed, and whose relatives died from bombs and missiles,” Kodirov said.
Uzbekistan
Today, Uzbekistan has no official information about its citizens taking part in military operations in Ukraine. However, many natives of the country can be found on the social media who take part in combat operations on both sides of the conflict.
Almost at the very beginning of Russia’s military operations in Ukraine, the ministry of justice of Uzbekistan posted in its Telegram channel a warning that according to the law Uzbekistanis will be imprisoned for participating in combat operations in other countries.
The agency for external labour migration also addressed the citizens of Uzbekistan via social networks asking them not to take part in the military operation in Ukraine and also warned about criminal responsibility for committing such actions.
The country’s ministry of defence also provided an explanation where it said that there’s zero evidence of recruitment of the military in Uzbekistan by foreign states.
“According to the criminal code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, article (1541) sets forth responsibility for the entry, recruitment into military service, security bodies, police, military justice or other similar bodies of foreign countries,” according to the explanation posted on the ministry’s website.
Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Ukraine Alisher Kurmanov told local outlet Dare.uz about non-participation of the citizens of Uzbekistan in military operations in Ukraine.
However, the Uzbek service of Radio Liberty “Ozodlik” posted information about an Uzbek driver who told in Uzbek language that he decided to hire out as a contract driver for three months to deliver cargo to Ukraine. The driver said that he was motivated by a chance to obtain Russian citizenship, lodging and good salary. He would be paid for the job 50 thousand roubles (nearly 590 dollars) every month.
He also said that he saw natives of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan there.
The official bodies of Uzbekistan have not given any comment on the video message of a Fergana driver who was together with the Russian military in Lugansk at the time of the interview to the journalist of Ozodlik.
Meanwhile, there is information available in social media that citizens of Uzbekistan live and participate in the war on the side of Ukraine. CABAR.asia has managed to talk to one of such people, who is in Kiev currently.
Our interviewee makes no secret of being a volunteer combatant fighting on the side of Ukraine against the Russian army. He calls himself Shavkat Mukhammad (Shava), although he said this is not his real name. He said that in 2014 he already fought for Ukraine as part of Aidar battalion, but left it in 2015.
According to him, he has been living in Ukraine for 8 years. He has applied for the refugee status several times, but failed to get it. He did not take part in combat operations since 2017. He lived in Odessa, Lvov, Kiev and other cities of Ukraine and worked in the construction field.
“On February 25 (Russia started its invasion of Ukraine on February 24 – editor’s note), I came to the centre of Kiev to sign up as a volunteer. Queues of volunteers were too long. Therefore, I made up a group of volunteers myself. Experienced combatants of the volunteer battalion Aidar also joined our group. We were admitted, so we have been fighting since February 25. Now I am fighting in Kiev.
I have not signed any contracts with any state bodies for participation in combats here. I do not have any contract with the ministry of defence. Participation in these combats is of no material interest for me. I am here as a volunteer combatant to help the people of Ukraine,” he said.
According to official sources, every signal of Uzbekistanis taking part in conflicts are thoroughly checked by law enforcement and special state bodies of Uzbekistan.
However, it should be noted that natives of Uzbekistan have already participated in military actions in Donbas before. For example, the article named “Uzbek Marufzhon Nishonov fighting for DNR was killed in Donbas” published on the website of Asia Terra tells about one of such participants.
Political analyst Farkhad Tolipov, director of non-governmental educational institution “Bilim karvoni” said to CABAR.asia that there will be always a possibility of recruitment. However, there will be fewer volunteers in the war in Ukraine.
“First, labour migrants can see the tragic outcomes and consequences of participation of their compatriots in combat operations in Syria. So, they will hardly want to put their lives at risk. Second, here is no ideological motivation for recruitment as was the case with Syria, i.e. it makes no sense to fight and die for someone else’s values and for a foreign country. Besides, I think their relatives, parents tell them about the situation in Ukraine and caution them against participation in the tragedy,” he said.