The Russian authorities opened a criminal case against the Deputy Chairman of the Congress of the Oirat-Kalmyk People, Vladimir Dovdanov, for calling for activities directed against the security of Russia. He is charged with calling on the Ukrainian Armed Forces to destroy Russian equipment.

Last year, Vladimir Dovdanov, as well as his colleague, ex-chairman of the Kalmyk branch of the Yabloko party Batyr Boromangnaev, were fined 70 thousand rubles under the article on calls for violating the territorial integrity of Russia. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the reason for drawing up the protocols was video recordings of their “destructive nature.” Dovdanov and Boromangaev now live abroad.

“In my videos and interviews, I constantly speak out in support of Ukraine. I am also ready to participate in the gathering of the Kalmyk volunteer formation if the leadership of Ukraine makes such a decision. We will still liberate our republic and will be independent from Moscow; we are not on the same path with the Russians,” Dovdanov said.

At the beginning of March 2022, the Congress of the Oirat-Kalmyk people demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, supported the Ukrainian people, and also called on the citizens of Kalmykia not to go to war.