A resident of the Odesa region has been accused of serving in the Russian military in the Kherson region

In the Odesa region, a 59-year-old man is on trial, accused of treason and serving on the side of Russian forces. According to the investigation, during the occupation of the Kherson region, he signed a contract with the Russian Armed Forces.

The Odesa Regional Prosecutor’s Office filed an indictment in absentia with the court on charges of defecting to the enemy under martial law. The man is charged under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

According to the investigation, in 2023, the 59-year-old native of the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi District was in the temporarily occupied territory of the Kherson region. There, he signed a 12-month military contract with the Russian Armed Forces and assumed the position of platoon commander in one of the volunteer battalions.

As noted by the prosecutor’s office, this unit was directly subordinate to one of the Russian Armed Forces’ airborne assault divisions.

According to law enforcement officials, after the contract term expired, the man did not cease his cooperation with the Russian military. He continued activities aimed at maintaining control over the occupied part of the Kherson region and ensuring the functioning of the occupation authorities established by Russia.

Investigators established that the accused convinced local residents of the alleged legality of the occupation of Ukrainian territory, as well as the legitimacy of the self-proclaimed authorities and the actions of their representatives.

In addition, the man disseminated Russian propaganda and helped strengthen the occupation regime. He also intimidated local residents and representatives of local self-government bodies with threats of possible reprisals should they resist the occupying authorities.

Since the defendant is outside the territory controlled by Ukraine, the indictment was filed in absentia. 

Also in September, three residents of the Odesa region were sentenced for passing information about Ukrainian military facilities to Russian intelligence services. Among them were a former serviceman who organized the group, a current serviceman, and a woman.

Анна Літман