The Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don has delivered a verdict against 23 Ukrainian citizens. The court session was held for the fighters of the "Azov" battalion.
This was reported by Russian media.
The Russian court found the Ukrainian prisoners guilty of "violent seizure of power" and "organizing terrorist activities." 11 participants in the case were also accused of "undergoing training for terrorist activities."
Among those convicted are not only military personnel but also individuals from the logistical support staff.
It is noted that initially 24 individuals were involved in the case. However, in July 2024, Oleksandr Ishchenko, who worked as a driver in the "Azov" regiment, died while in Russian captivity.
Two representatives of "Azov," Davyd Kasatkin and Dmytro Labinskyi, returned to Ukraine as part of an exchange. Later, Ukraine returned nine women: eight cooks and one storekeeper who worked in the logistical support of "Azov."
Twelve Ukrainians were present at the court session:
Oleksandr Mukhin received 22 years of imprisonment; Yaroslav Zhdyamarov - 22 years; Oleh Zharkov - 13 years; Anatoliy Hrytsyk - 13 years; Oleksiy 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.Another 11 participants in the case were sentenced in absentia, among them Olena Avramova, Nina Bondarenko, Olena Bondarchuk, Vladyslava Mayboroda, Lidiya Pavrianidis, Liliya Rudenko, Maryna Tekin, Iryna Mohytych (each received 13 years of imprisonment), Nataliya Holfinher (14 years), Davyd Kasatkin (15 years), and Dmytro Labinskyi (23 years).
Several participants in the case reported torture and poor conditions in the Russian detention facility. Other defendants refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the court and communicate with it.