Ibragim Yaganov: Indigenous peoples in Russia are being forcibly sent to fight in Ukraine

Representatives of Russia's indigenous peoples, particularly those from small indigenous communities, are currently being forcibly conscripted into military service and sent to fight in the war against Ukraine, Ibragim Yaganov, a representative of the World Circassian Agency Movement, said.

According to Report's correspondent in Shusha, Yaganov addressed the international conference titled "Cultural and Ethnic Diversity: Lessons from History, Contemporary Challenges" via video link from France.

According to Yaganov, Circassians, like many other peoples, have become involved in the Russia–Ukraine war, resulting in the deaths of a large number of members of the Circassian community.

"The Circassians have neither reason nor obligation to support this war. Despite this, Russian law enforcement agencies forcibly detain our young people and send them to the front in Ukraine. Russian security forces conduct night raids, detain people, and present them with a harsh choice: either imprisonment for refusing military service or signing a contract and being sent to war," Yaganov said.

He stated that some of those detained sign military contracts out of fear that their families will face persecution, while those who refuse are allegedly subjected to severe abuse in detention facilities.

"Those who refuse are sent to prison, where they are subjected to such inhumane torture that they eventually agree to sign a contract to go to war and die. For what purpose? What are they fighting for? Who is their enemy? There is no answer. There is only confusion, fear, and violence," the representative of the World Circassian Agency Movement said.