In the Russian Federation, 15 Ukrainian prisoners of war were illegally sentenced to 15–21 years in a strict regime colony
The Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don has illegally sentenced 15 Ukrainian prisoners of war to terms of 15 to 21 years in a strict regime colony for “participation in a terrorist organization”. This is reported by Russian media.
These are servicemen of the “Aidar” battalion, who were captured by the Russian military. They were accused of alleged “participation in a terrorist organization” and “forcible seizure of power”. The formal reason for the investigation was their service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The court in Rostov handed down the following sentences: Dmytro Fedchenko received 15 years in a strict regime colony; Andriy Sholik, Vitaliy Krokhalev and Vyacheslav Baydyuk – 16 years each; Volodymyr Makarenko and Ihor Gayokha – 18 years each; Mykola Chupryn, Taras Radchenko, Semen Zabayrachny, Serhiy Nikityuk, Oleksandr Taranets and Vladyslav Yermolynsky – 20 years each; Vitaliy Gruzinov, Roman Nedostup and Serhiy Kalinichenko – 21 years each in a maximum security colony.
The Ukrainian prisoners reported torture during the so-called investigation, but the court ignored this testimony. Ukrainian lawyers emphasized the violation of international law, but their requests were also ignored.
According to the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, it is prohibited to convict military personnel for participating in the armed forces of their state, and therefore, the trials in Russia of Ukrainian prisoners are illegal.
The case also involved two women — doctors Liliya Prutyan and Maryna Mishchenko. They were returned to Ukraine during the exchange of prisoners of war on September 13, 2024.
