Crimea's Occupying Authorities to Send Residents to the Front Lines Starting April 1.

Crimeans Forced into Combat Roles

According to TSN.ua: Despite earlier promises that locals would not be involved in the war, the occupying administration in Crimea is now preparing to deploy Crimean residents for combat against the Ukrainian military. Beginning April 1, 2023, all mobilized troops from Crimea will be sent to the front line. This shift has sparked anxiety among the local population, as they had previously been assured that Crimeans would not take part in military conflicts.

The occupiers are completely replacing the personnel of the 810th Independent Marine Brigade, which is based in Sevastopol. Some units of this brigade are already fighting in the Kursk region, highlighting the active involvement of Russian forces in hostilities. The Russians plan to expand the 810th Brigade into a full marine division, further underscoring their intent to increase military presence on the front.

Military Buildup Intensifies

In parallel, the Russian army is moving reserves to reinforce groups along other sections of the front. In April, two marine divisions are scheduled to be transferred to the occupied territory of Donetsk, signaling a continued push for active combat in that region. Additionally, two motorized rifle divisions in the south are set to be reinforced with reserve regiments from the Moscow Military District.

The movement of equipment to the front is also ongoing: 265 combat vehicles are being relocated to occupied Donetsk. These actions confirm Russia's aim to strengthen its positions on the Ukrainian front. Vladyslav Voloshyn stated:

“The Russians promised that Crimeans would not fight, but now they are being forced to take part in combat.”

This forced involvement of Crimeans marks a clear shift in the policy of the Russian occupation administration, which had previously assured the local population they would not be drawn into the war. This could lead to increased social tension and protests within Crimea, as many residents strongly oppose being dragged into the conflict. At the same time, Russia's ongoing military buildup along the front suggests a continuation of its aggressive strategy in Ukraine and the potential for an escalation of hostilities in the coming months.