Tajik migrant workers in the Russian city of Samara told RFE/RL on February 13 they were scared and confused after Sunatullo Nazriev, the leader of the local Tajik diaspora, called on Tajiks who have Russian citizenship and those who want to get Russian passports in an expedited way to join Russia's armed forces involved in Moscow's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. According to the migrant workers, Nazriev warned that those who evade recruitment, and their family members, will be deported to Tajikistan. After being challenged by migrant workers, Nazriev said he was misunderstood and meant only Tajiks holding Russian passports needed to heed the warning. To read the original report by RFE/RL's Tajik Service, click here.
Tajik Diaspora Leader's Call To Join Russian Military In Ukraine Causes Fear In Samara
Police in Samara check the documents of migrants in October.