Crimean propagandist to be tried for recruiting children to the Russian army

The head of the Crimean branch of the Russian DOSAAF will be tried for promoting service in the occupier's army among civilians and children. He faces up to 12 years in prison for violating the laws of war.

This was reported by the press service of the Prosecutor's Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

Law enforcement officers sent an indictment to the court against the head of the regional branch of the Russian DOSAAF in Crimea. He promoted service in the army of the occupying state among the civilian population of the peninsula, including children.

He is accused of violating the laws and customs of war (Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) and justifying, denying and recognizing the legitimacy of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine with the involvement of the media (Part 3 of Article 436-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The investigation established that the accused headed the Crimean branch of the DOSAAF in June 2017. The organization is engaged in the so-called patriotic education and military training of citizens for service in the Russian army. It directly organized and disseminated propaganda for service in the Russian armed forces among Crimean residents, including children and adolescents.

In 2022-2023, the defendant participated in the filming of an interview for the pro-Russian TV channel Krym 24, where he spoke about the "scale and effectiveness" of the DOSAAF in Crimea and approved the recruitment of Ukrainian children to serve in the enemy army.

A forensic linguistic examination confirmed that his statements contained signs of propaganda for service in the Russian army and justification of armed aggression against Ukraine.

By the Decree of the President of Ukraine of May 1, 2025, personal sanctions were imposed on the accused in accordance with the decision of the National Security and Defense Council. He faces up to 12 years in prison for his actions. According to media reports, it is Andriy Popov. In December 2024, he was notified of being suspected.

Also, a former deputy from Crimea, who ran for the occupation Duma and glorified the Russian military, will be tried in Kherson region. He is charged with collaboration and justifying Russia's armed aggression. After the annexation of the peninsula, he sided with the occupier, and in 2015 he was suspected of treason and put on the wanted list by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.

Анна Бальчінос