Russia has illegally sentenced 23 Azov fighters: the longest sentence – 23 years

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.

Kyrylo Shostak