Skip to content
Edit post

Russian court sentences Ukrainian soldier captured in occupied Crimea to 20 years in prison

by Nate Ostiller and The Kyiv Independent news desk September 3, 2024 12:39 PM 2 min read
Russian forces guard in the Ukrainian anti-aircraft unit in the western Crimean city of Yevpatoria on March 5, 2014. Photo for illustrative purposes. (Genya Savilov/AFP via Getty Images)
This audio is created with AI assistance

A court in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don on Sep. 3 sentenced Ukrainian soldier Oleksandr Lyubas, who was reportedly captured while trying to land in occupied Crimea in late 2023, to 20 years in prison.

According to the Russian Prosecutor General's Office, Lyubas was part of a small group of Ukrainian soldiers who attempted to conduct an amphibious operation on the peninsula and was captured in the process.

Lyubas was charged with illegally crossing the state border, arms smuggling, and preparing to commit a terrorist act.

In a statement at the court, Lyubas denied that he was a criminal or a terrorist.

"I am guilty only of being a soldier of the country in which I was born, lived and am a citizen of, as part of the mobilization I was called up to the army and carried out the orders of the commander. I never had the intention of causing harm to the civilian population (of Russia)."

Lyubas added that under international law, he should be considered a prisoner of war (POW) and be offered the associated legal protections.

Dozens of Ukrainian soldiers face trial in Russia.

Russia does not provide transparent access to its legal system, and international human rights organizations have long detailed rampant abuse in prisons, as well as the use of torture to coerce confessions.

Russia has also widely used the charge of supporting or planning "terrorism" as a means of suppressing any perceived dissent against the regime.

Azov soldier Ishchenko died in Russian captivity due to ‘blunt force trauma,’ report shows
Azov Brigade soldier Oleksandr Ishchenko died in Russian captivity due to a blunt force trauma to his chest, according to a forensic expert report, published by Azov deputy commander, Sviatoslav Palamar on Aug. 7.

News Feed

MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.