 In Crimea on April 25, dozens of conscripts began their active service in the Russian military after a ceremony at an assembly point in the city of Simferopol. The new recruits were called up during the spring draft campaign that started on April 1. Yakub Nyaziv, a recent engineering graduate from university in Kerch, said he volunteered for army service and showed up at an enlistment office without waiting for a draft paper. If I like it in the army, I would sign a contract, he said. Another recruit, Timur Feredinov, said he was not a fan of the military but considered service in the army as his civil duty. Among those about to join the ranks were ethnic Crimean totters. They received a blessing from a Muslim clergyman. An Orthodox priest sprinkled a group of Christian recruits with holy water. Yeah! Come on! Come on!