The trial took place within the framework of the so-called “case of the 24.” It included not only fighters but also rear-echelon personnel — cooks, storekeepers, and technical staff.
In Russia, unlawful sentences were handed down to 12 prisoners of war from the “Azov” brigade, accusing them of “forcible seizure of power” and participation in a “terrorist organization.” The sentences range from 13 to 23 years in a high-security penal colony.
Russian media report this.
In particular:
- Oleksandr Mukhin — 22 years imprisonment,
- Yaroslav Zhdamarov — 22 years imprisonment,
- Oleg Zharkov — 13 years imprisonment,
- Anatoliy Hrytsyk — 13 years imprisonment,
- Oleksiy Smykov — 13 years imprisonment,
- Oleg Mizhhorodskyi — 17 years imprisonment,
- Oleksandr Irkha — 15 years imprisonment,
- Artem Hrebeshkov — 20 years imprisonment,
- Artur Gretskyi — 22 years imprisonment,
- Oleksandr Merochenets — 22 years imprisonment,
- Oleg Tyshkul — 22 years imprisonment,
- Mykyta Tymonin — 22 years imprisonment.
Another 11 Ukrainian soldiers were “sentenced” in absentia.
The trial took place within the framework of the so-called “case of the 24.” It included not only fighters but also rear-echelon personnel — cooks, storekeepers, and technical staff. All were captured in Mariupol in the spring of 2022.
Some of the defendants have already been returned to Ukraine during prisoner exchanges: two before the trial began, and another eight in September 2023. One of the prisoners, military Ishenko, died in a Russian pre-trial detention center.
It should be reminded that Russia refuses to include Ukrainian prisoners of war from “Azov” and the Marine Corps in exchange lists.
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