Russia sentences over 20 captured Ukraine's Azov fighters to lengthy prison terms
Photo: Russia holds trial of captured Azov soldiers (Russian media)
The Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don has sentenced 23 Ukrainians, holding a trial against the fighters of the Azov Brigade, the Russian media resources Mediazona and SOTAvision report.
The Russian court found the Ukrainian prisoners guilty of "violent seizure of power" and "organizing the activities of a terrorist organization." Eleven of the accused were also charged with "undergoing training for terrorist activities."
Among those sentenced were not only military personnel but also individuals involved in logistical support.
Initially, 24 people were involved in the case. However, in July 2024, Oleksandr Ishchenko, who worked as a driver for the Azov Brigade, died in Russian captivity.
Two Azov members, Davyd Kasatkin and Dmytro Labinskyi, were returned to Ukraine in a prisoner exchange. Later, Ukraine managed to bring back nine women - eight cooks and one storekeeper who worked in Azov's rear support.
Among the 12 Ukrainians present in court:
- Oleksandr Mukhin – received 22 years in prison;
- Yaroslav Zhdamarov – 22 years
- Oleh Zharkov – 13 years
- Anatolii Hrytsyk – 13 years
- Oleksii Smykov – 13 years
- Oleh Mizhhorodskyi – 17 years
- Oleksandr Irkha – 15 years
- Artem Hrebeshkov – 20 years
- Artur Hretskyi – 22 years
- Oleksandr Merochenets – 22 years
- Oleh Tyshkul – 22 years
- Mykyta Timonin – 22 years
Additional 11 sentenced in absentia:
- Olena Avramova, Nina Bondarenko, Olena Bondarchuk, Vladyslava Maiboroda, Lidiia Pavrianidis, Liliia Rudenko, Marina Tekin, Iryna Mohytych – 13 years each
- Natalia Holfiner – 14 years
- Davyd Kasatkin – 15 years
- Dmytro Labinskyi – 23 years
Several defendants reported torture and poor detention conditions in Russian pre-trial detention centers. Others refused to acknowledge the court or communicate with it.
As previously reported, on March 19, Ukraine and Russia conducted a prisoner exchange, securing the release of 175 soldiers, while an additional 22 defenders were freed through other means. Some of these were seriously wounded or were persecuted by Russia on fabricated charges.
Previously, Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War explained why Russia refuses to exchange Azov fighters.
