Crimean conscripts depart for Russian army garrisons to fight in Ukraine

The men were called up for statutory military service as part of a routine autumn conscription campaign, which began in Russia on November 1. The defence ministry has said the autumn conscription was "not in any way related to the special operation," Russia's official term for its military campaign in Ukraine.

The European Union has accused Moscow of illegally conscripting men in Crimea, which Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014.

All men in Russia are required to do a year's military service between the ages of 18 and 27, or equivalent training while in higher education.