As the war in Ukraine waged by Russia continues, several young Tatars have allegedly been sent to fight on the front lines. Many have died while in Ukraine, resulting in the immediate return of their bodies to Russia. Watching as the number of casualties rises, many fellow Muslim Tatars “would like to see a complete break from the Russian Federation.” [I]

These reports support a recent video from AJ+ indicating the discovery of mass graves of Ukrainian bodies has some Crimean Tatars revolting, in a sense, and fighting against Russian Soldiers in Ukraine as the Crimean Batallion. A video created by the Crimean Tatars has reportedly led to an increase in the number of Muslim Tatars fighting back after discovering mass graves of Ukrainian civilians. [i]

According to Minority Rights Group International, Tatars are the largest minority group in the Russian Federation. The Tatars descended from Turkic tribes and were once promised their own republic and “were involved in several revolts against Russian domination.” Unfortunately, it is reported that when the borders for the Tatar republic were drawn, 75 percent of the Tatar population was left out of the proposed region. The video below details a brief history of Russia’s Tatars. [ii]

In addition to the recent conflict, Russia is also alleged to have “been committing genocide against Crimean Tatars.” Tatars were forced to leave their homes in Crimea, beginning with the Deportation of 1944. The Tatars oppose the war stating that Russia’s treatment of Ukrainians parallel’s their treatment of Tatars. [iii]

They also allege “systematic Russian oppression” has occurred against Tatars continuously. This includes detaining one individual for nearly twenty years on allegedly baseless charges of terrorism. According to the video below, many Crimean men have been arrested and separated from their families. [iv]

Many Tatars fighting against Russia have stated a desire to make their way back to Crimea. How will the Crimean Tatars’ direct defiance of Vladimir Putin and the Russian Federation affect the future of Tatars who remain in Russia?

References

[i] Vladimir Rozanskij, As young Tatars die in Ukraine, many others now want to split from Moscow, (Aug. 4, 2022)[ii] Minority Rights Group International, Russian Federation: Tatars, (Dec. 2020)[iii] UATV English, Russia has been committing genocide against Crimean Tatars since 1944 and it still goes on, (May 18, 2022)[iv] Al Jazeera English, Crimea’s Muslim Tatars allege systematic Russian oppression, (Aug. 20, 2017)

Baller Button: Really Convenient Value or Profit for Inequality?
What if you could pay to skip the line at your favorite restaurant? The “Baller Button” at Lighthouse Bagels & Deli allows you to do just that! For a $50 tip, you can push your order to the front of the line, bypassing those who are unwilling or unable to pay the cost. Are these “skip-the-line” passes…
June 6, 2026
A woman recently says that she feels uneasy in her own garden after receiving texts from a meddling next door neighbor
A woman recently revealed how her neighbor’s constant messaging makes her feel “very uncomfortable” while gardening in her backyard. The neighbor has regularly sent messages such as “good job on the tidying” and “shouldn’t you be sowing seeds now?” making her feel increasingly unwelcome and uneasy. [i] According to the woman, the messages are an […]
March 31, 2023
Why one coalition wants to stop an astonishing jail with no bars
Ways we can empower Orange County communities. The controversy surrounding for-profit prisons and detention centers has gained attention in California. This is due to the recent ruling by a Federal Court that Assembly Bill 32 is unconstitutional when applied to private detention contracts with federal agencies like ICE. However, the state’s ban on private prisons […]
July 5, 2023
Not Ultra-Processed Food Label, New in CA: Helpful or Confusing?
What Is Ultra-Processed Food and Why Does It Matter? California lawmakers want to create a new food label. Assembly Bill 2244 would let food companies put a special seal on their products. The seal would say “California Certified Not Ultra-Processed.” But what is ultra-processed food? And will this new label actually help people make better…
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
* indicates required field
Email Address * Get weekly insights and curated reads—straight to your inbox

March 26, 2026
Hampton Court Palace is Haunted By the Wives of Henry VIII
Beware of the Wives in This September’s New Broadway Musical Hampton Court Palace is over 500 years old and housed Henry VIII’s wives. Several staff members and the public have “seen, felt and heard an uncanny presence,” believing that at least two of Henry VIII’s wives never left Hampton Court Palace. [i] Henry VIII’s wives, […]
September 4, 2022