Following a public prosecution by the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, five Ukrainian citizens were found guilty. They were convicted of high treason, participation in a terrorist organisation and activities of armed groups not provided for by law (Art. 111, parts 1 and 2, Art. 258-3, part 2, Art. 260 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
Each of the men was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment with confiscation of all property belonging to them by right of ownership.
Prosecutors proved in court that residents of Donetsk and Luhansk regions voluntarily sided with the enemy during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. They joined the illegal armed groups of the ‘people’s militia’ of the ‘dpr’ and ‘lpr’ terrorist organisations.
The men underwent military training and acquired skills in the use of weapons, mastered the tactics of combat, assault, advance and retreat. Having received weapons and ammunition, they assisted in subversive activities against Ukraine as part of the Russian armed forces.
It is known that they performed the duties of a shooter, a gunner on an armoured personnel carrier, a machine gunner and a radio operator. In these positions, the defendants performed various tasks related to the conduct of hostilities against the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In addition, they ensured the security of the locations of the Russian army.
It was established that one of the defendants was mobilised from the Torez Correctional Colony No. 28 (Donetsk region) on the instructions of the colony’s management. Thus, the latter was granted amnesty in order to fulfil his “debt” to the occupying state.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, men have been fighting in settlements in Donetsk, Luhansk, Sumy and Kharkiv regions.
Their criminal activity was stopped due to their capture.
The pre-trial investigation in the criminal proceedings was carried out by the SBU Office in Lviv region.