Crimea hands out military draft papers to newborn boys

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The Guardian

Russian authorities in Crimea have formally presented newborn boys with military draft notices alongside the more usual birth certificates, calling on them to report for duty in 2032.

The Crimean government handed out the notices to newborn boys during a solemn ceremony in the Sevastopol civil registry office as part of celebrations for an annual holiday known as Defender of the Fatherland Day on 23 February.

Parents took an oath on behalf of their sons, with similar ceremonies held in other Sevastopol city districts. Representatives of Crimean military recruitment congratulated the parents and presented them gifts.

Authorities said they wanted to observe “the solemn rite of registering the births of ‘Russia’s glorious sons’”. It is unclear whether draft notices were distributed throughout Crimea or just in Simferopol.

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Photo: Vitaly V. Kuzmin

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