Two Ukrainian pilots were sentenced by the “court” of the Russian Federation: they allegedly planned to drop a “dirty bomb” on Bryansk oblast, Russia.
In Russia, the “court” sentenced Ukrainian pilots Oleksandr Morozov and Dmytro Shymanskyi, who were accused of planning to use a “dirty bomb” in the Bryansk region, allegedly under the orders of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense’s Intelligence Directorate (HUR MO). They were sentenced to 26 and 22 years in prison, respectively.
According to Censor.NET, this information was reported by Russian propaganda media TASS and “RIA News.”
According to the “verdict,” Morozov received 22 years of imprisonment, while Shymanskyi was sentenced to 26 years under the terrorism charge. Overall, they were found guilty of committing nearly ten terrorist offenses.
What is known about the case?
According to the investigation, in the spring of 2023, Morozov and Shymanskyi, flying in two light aircraft A-22, crossed the border into Russia to drop small bombs on the “Slava” plant in Bryansk region.
However, the pilots failed the mission as Morozov’s aircraft hit a power line near the border, while Shymanskyi landed in Tula region. Both were detained.
It is noted that during the investigation, Shymanskyi and Morozov provided testimony on all the incriminating episodes (violating international flight rules and state borders, terrorism, participation in a terrorist organization, illegal trafficking of weapons and explosives), including the planned use of a “dirty bomb.” However, later, the defendants retracted their statements and only admitted to part of the episodes.
Morozov, for example, did not admit to participating in the bombing—according to him, he flew over Ukrainian territory to check the operation of Ukraine’s air defense, but accidentally crossed into Russian territory.
On June 6, 2023, the day of the Kakhovka HPP dam explosion, the Russians published a video featuring the Ukrainians, claiming they were detained by the Russian FSB on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts. In the video, light aircraft were shown, allegedly used by Morozov and Shymanskyi to cross the Russian border to carry out the mission.
The pilots themselves also gave testimony on camera, with Shymanskyi stating that Ukrainian intelligence planned to transport a “dirty nuclear bomb” onto Russian territory.
A video with Morozov, filmed immediately after his detention, appeared in Russian media two months before the FSB announced his capture. In the video, he claimed he didn’t even know he had crossed into Russia, and his task was allegedly just to take a photo. His aircraft was flying at a low altitude and then landed after hitting power lines.
The FSB also claimed that Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate created a special aviation unit for sabotage operations in Russia using light aircraft.
“Verdict” of the court
The defense of the Ukrainian pilots called them prisoners of war who were carrying out orders from the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The court did not fully satisfy the prosecutor’s request, as the prosecution had asked for 30 years of imprisonment for the pilots.
The Kharkiv Human Rights Group reported that Oleksandr Morozov is from Kharkiv, a radio engineer who learned to fly at the age of 50 in a flight school at an aeroclub.
Later, he bought his own light aircraft and organized a friendly airfield near Kharkiv. In 2016, he joined the “Civil Air Patrol” initiative, which helped transport seriously ill patients from the most remote villages to hospitals in the regional center.
It should be noted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that “no ‘dirty bomb’ was created in Ukraine, and the only dirty thing in our region are the minds of those who have taken control of the Russian state.”
Tags: Russia russia ukraine war Ukraine war
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