The Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced 15 captured Ukrainians from the 'Aidar' battalion to terms ranging from 15 to 21 years in a high-security colony, the court's press service reported. The prosecution demanded sentences ranging from 20 to 24 years of imprisonment.
Dmitry Fedchenko to 15 years in a high-security colony. Andrey Sholik, Vitaly Krokhalev, and Vyacheslav Baydyuk — to 16 years in a high-security colony. Vladimir Makarenko and Igor Gayokha — to 18 years in a high-security colony.
Nikolay Chuprin, Taras Radchenko, Semyon Zabayrachny, Sergey Nikityuk, Alexander Tarants, and Vladislav Yermolinsky — to 20 years in a high-security colony. Vitaly Gruzinov, Roman Nedostup, and Sergey Kalinchenko — to 21 years in a high-security colony.
The prisoners of war were found guilty under articles on 'participation in the activities of a terrorist organization', 'violent seizure of power', and 'undergoing training for terrorist purposes'. The sentence was influenced only by the time of joining 'Aidar' and their position, as the accusation against each of the prisoners was based solely on the fact that they served in the 'Aidar' battalion, no specific war crimes were charged against any of the defendants.
The accusation called the activities of not only the regular military personnel from 'Aidar' but also drivers and even medics 'criminal' — as providing medical assistance to servicemen 'ensured the combat capability of the unit and its readiness to carry out assigned tasks'.
As noted by 'Mediazona'**, two women were involved in the same case — medics Lilia Prutyan and Marina Mishchenko, who have already returned to Ukraine as part of a prisoner exchange.
During the trial, Ukrainians reported torture during the investigation, in October 2024, the hearings on the case were completely closed to the press, citing 'threats to the participants in the process'.
* Recognized as a 'terrorist' organization in Russia.
** Recognized as a 'foreign agent' in Russia.
Photo: Mediazona