Russian military serviceman found guilty in Ukraine for holding hundreds of civilians hostage
Illustrative photo: in Ukraine, a Russian soldier who held hundreds of civilians hostage was convicted (Getty Images)
Russian military Semyon Solovov, who held several hundred civilians hostage during the occupation in the Chernihiv region, has been sentenced in absentia to 12 years in prison, according to the Telegram channel of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).
Case details
The case concerns a 37-year-old commander of a consolidated unit of the 228th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the Russian Armed Forces. In 2022, his unit took part in the seizure of the village of Yahidne.
"While in the settlement, Solovov ordered his subordinates to force local civilians into the basement of the village school, where the occupiers had set up their headquarters. As a result, the Russian troops held 369 local residents hostage for nearly a month, including 69 minors," the SBU wrote.
Photo: Semyon Solovov (t.me/SBUkr)
The civilians were held in a basement area of 197 square meters without electricity, ventilation, or sufficient water and food. Due to the lack of timely medical assistance, ten elderly people died.
"At the same time, the Russian troops forbade the removal of the deceased from the basement, leaving the bodies there for an extended period alongside the living. Solovov also repeatedly threatened the victims, saying he would blow them all up," the SBU added.
Court decision
The court found Solovov guilty under part 2 of article 28 and part 1 of article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — war crimes committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy. He was sentenced in absentia to 12 years in prison.
