Captured Azov and Aidar fighters have been sentenced in Russia
In Russia, another round of sentences has been handed down to Ukrainian prisoners of war. The Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced six Ukrainian defenders to prison terms ranging from 12 to 19 years in a maximum-security facility.
Among those convicted are servicemen whom the Russian side links to the “Azov” and “Aidar” units. They were accused of participating in “terrorist organizations” and “terrorist activities.”
According to Russian media reports, the sentences were handed down back in April, but information about them has only recently come to light. The individuals in question are Ukrainian prisoners of war Tymofiy Vashchenko, Andriy Zhizhom, Denys Shelomienko, Serhiy Medvedev, Volodymyr Shulipa, and Artem Stanishchevsky.
All of them were tried under Russian law after being taken prisoner. The Russian side claims that the soldiers allegedly participated in the activities of organizations recognized as “terrorist” in the Russian Federation.
Tymofiy Vashchenko received the longest sentence. He was sentenced to 19 years in a maximum-security prison. Andriy Zhizhoma, Artem Stanishchevsky, and Serhiy Medvedev each received 18 years in prison. Denys Shelomienko was sentenced to 16 years in a penal colony. Volodymyr Shulipa received 12 years of imprisonment. All sentences involve serving time in strict-regime penal colonies.
Russian investigators and prosecutors traditionally use charges of “terrorism” against Ukrainian military personnel. Andriy Zhizhoma, Denys Shelomienko, Serhiy Medvedev, and Artem Stanishchevsky were charged with participating in a so-called terrorist group and undergoing training to carry out terrorist activities. Timofiy Vashchenko was accused of participating in a terrorist group due to his service in the Azov Brigade. Volodymyr Shulipa, who served in the Aidar unit, was tried under the article on participation in the activities of a terrorist organization.
Such trials have been ongoing in Russia for several years now. Since the start of the full-scale war, Russian courts have regularly handed down sentences to Ukrainian servicemen who have been taken prisoner. Azov fighters, marines, National Guard servicemen, and members of other units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are particularly often the subjects of such cases. Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly stated that such trials violate international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions regarding the treatment of prisoners of war.
It is currently unknown whether the convicted individuals have the opportunity to appeal their sentences. There is also no information on whether they may be included in future prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia. In recent years, Ukraine has repeatedly brought its military personnel home as part of large-scale exchanges. Among those released were defenders of Mariupol, who had also previously been held in Russian detention centers and faced trial. The Ukrainian side continues to work on the return of all prisoners of war and civilians held in Russian captivity. This was reported to Mediazona by the court’s press service.
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