Russia sentences 23 Azov fighters to prison terms ranging from 13 to 23 years

This is reported by Mediazona.

"The panel of three judges, led by Judge Vyacheslav Korsakov, sentenced Yaroslav Zhdamrov, Oleksandr Merochenets, Mykyta Timonin, Oleksandr Mukhin, Oleh Tyshkul, and Artur Hretskyi to 22 years in a strict regime colony; Oleksandr Irkh and Artem Hrebeshkov to 20 years; Oleh Mizhhorodskyi to 17 years; Oleh Zharkov to 13 years; Anatolii Hrytsyk to 19 years; and Oleksii Smykov to 23 years in a strict regime colony," the post states.

It is noted that all the soldiers plan to appeal the verdict.

In addition, journalists report that before the verdict was announced, Oleh Zharkov became unwell—he complained of stomach pain, and an ambulance was called.

The Russian court also issued a verdict in absentia for 11 soldiers who had already returned to Ukraine as part of a prisoner exchange.

The soldiers are accused of having served in the Azov Regiment at different times, allegedly expressing a "negative attitude towards Russian-speaking populations," and adhering to "pro-Ukrainian radical views."

Meanwhile, the court also handed out in absentia sentences for women: 13 years in a general regime correctional colony were given to Olena Bondarchuk, Liliia Pavriyanidis, Olena Avramova, Iryna Mohytych, Vladyslava Maiboroda, Marina Tekin, and Nina Bondarenko. Liliia Rudenko and Natalia Holfiner received 14 years in a general regime correctional colony. On September 13, 2024, all nine were released during a prisoner exchange. Eight of them worked as cooks in Azov, and one was the head of the regiment's food warehouse until January 2022.

• Earlier, a Russian court in the so-called Donetsk People's Republic "sentenced" Azov fighter Ruslan Minahulov to 24 years in a strict regime colony for allegedly mistreating civilians.