The Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced 24 prisoners of war from the "Azov" Brigade to terms ranging from 13 to 23 years in prison. This was reported by "Graty" on Telegram, citing the court's press service.
The soldiers, captured while attempting to leave Mariupol, during filtration procedures in the city, or in battle after being wounded, were accused of violently seizing power and altering russia’s constitutional order, as well as organizing or participating in the activities of a terrorist organization.
The charges were based on the fact that, at the request of russia’s General Prosecutor’s Office, the Supreme Court of the russian federation declared "Azov" a terrorist organization on August 2, 2022.
The case was heard by a panel of judges, presided over by Vyacheslav Korsakov. During the sentencing, the soldiers were held in shackles.
The court sentenced the following individuals to 13 years in a general-regime correctional colony: Olena Bondarchuk, Liliia Pavrianidis, Olena Avramova, Iryna Mohytych, Vladyslava Maiboroda, Maryna Tekin, and Nina Bondarenko. Liliia Rudenko and Nataliia Golfinier received 14 years in a general-regime correctional colony. The women were tried in absentia—on September 13, 2024, all nine were released in a prisoner exchange.
Eight of the women had worked in the "Azov" kitchen, while one was the head of Azov’s food supply department until January 2022.
Fifteen men were sentenced to various terms in a high-security correctional colony.
Oleh Zharkov received 13 years, Oleh Mizhorodsky—17 years, and Anatoliy Hrytsyk—19 years. Artem Hribeshkov and Oleksandr Irkha were sentenced to 20 years.
Oleh Tishkul, Oleksandr Mukhin, Yaroslav Zhdamarov, Oleksandr Mirochynets, Nikita Tymonin, and Artur Hrechesky each received 22-year sentences.
Oleksiy Smykov, Davyd Kasatkin, and Dmytro Labinsky were sentenced to 23 years in a high-security correctional colony.
Kasatkin was exchanged on September 22, 2022, and Labinsky on May 6, 2023, so they were tried in absentia. The women were also handed over to Ukraine as part of a prisoner exchange.
55-year-old Serhiy Ishchenko died in a russian pre-trial detention center. The court dismissed his case. His death was announced during a court session in July 2024.
During the trial, Ishchenko repeatedly complained about feeling unwell, and his lawyer demanded medical assistance. The documents provided by the russians along with his body stated that "the cause of death was not determined".
During the court proceedings, prisoners of war reported being tortured after their capture and beaten while being transported.