Meanwhile, 15,000 to 20,000 Crimean Tatars were persuaded to form self-defence battalions to protect Crimean Tatar villages from attacks by Soviet partisans as well as hunting them down, though these units typically sided with whoever was stronger in an area.
Sementara itu, 15.000 hingga 20.000 orang Tatar Krimea berhasil diyakinkan untuk membentuk batalion pertahanan diri untuk melindungi desa-desa Tatar Krimea dari serangan-serangan kelompok partisan Soviet serta untuk memburu mereka, walaupun satuan-satuan tersebut biasanya membela pihak yang terkuat di wilayah tertentu.