Judge Yuri Massin of the 2nd Western District Military Court sentenced members of the Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group, captured in the Bryansk region, to terms from 26 to 28 years in a high-security colony, reported «Mediazona»*. Lieutenant Colonel Andrey Antonenko was sentenced to 28 years in a high-security regime, Captain Andrey Kulish — 26 years, Sergeant Alexey Mazurenko — 27 years, and Junior Lieutenant Denis Tkachenko — 26 years.
The prosecution requested 30 years in a high-security colony for each military member.
According to the investigation, members of the Ukrainian group mined railways, power lines, and oil storage facilities deep within Russian territory. In August 2023, they deployed drones near the military airfield «Shaikovka» in the Kaluga region, where long-range aviation bombers are based.
The Ukrainians were charged with two completed terrorist attacks and three episodes of preparation for terrorist attacks, as well as numerous lesser charges — from illegal border crossing to possession of explosives.
Antonenko's lawyer, Maria Eismont, argued that her client cannot be held criminally liable as he has prisoner of war immunity. International law prohibits the killing of civilians and harm to civilian infrastructure, and combatants can only be tried for these war crimes, but there is nothing about these crimes in the case. The unit in which Antonenko served cannot be considered a «terrorist community» — it is a regular army unit.
Antonenko himself, in his final statement, said that he does not consider himself a terrorist and disagrees with the charges. «I don't know how my future fate and life will unfold, but I have such a deep personal feeling that this is more of a cosplay on justice».
* Recognized in Russia as a «foreign agent».
Photo: TASS