SIMFEROPOL. March 17 (Interfax) - Crimean servicemen of the Ukrainian army quit service in the Ukrainian armed forces at a large scale and return to Crimea, Crimean First Deputy Prime Minister Rustam Temirgaliyev told Interfax on Saturday.
"Many cases of Crimean servicemen of the Ukrainian army writing requests to quit have been registered. Our fellow citizens do not want to do service in the Ukrainian army and [they] return to Crimea," Temirgaliyev said.
Many Ukrainian servicemen, who serve in units located in Crimea, decide to stay in Crimea, Temirgaliyev said.
"Even servicemen from western regions of Ukraine, who are serving here, move their families here and intend to stay and live in Crimea because it is much calmer here than in Ukraine," Temirgaliyev said.