Gauleiter, who called for "Russian order", convicted in Kherson region

Oleksandr Likunovych, a resident of the Kherson region, who held the position of "starosta" in the village of Myroliubivka and actively cooperated with the occupation administration, was sentenced to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property. However, the verdict was announced in absentia.

This is stated in the verdict of the Kherson City Court.

At the trial, local residents said that Likunovich gathered people for meetings where he convinced them that "Russia has come forever" and called for cooperation. One of the witnesses, a resident of Myroliubivka, recalled: "At the meeting, he said that there would be no more Ukrainian government and that a new order should be adopted."

He also campaigned for evacuation to the occupied territories, promising financial assistance and jobs from the new government. Eyewitnesses recalled that the defendant organized the payment of pensions in Russian rubles, convincing people to abandon the hryvnia.

"The hryvnia will not be recognized soon, so take rubles and don't argue," said another witness.

Several eyewitnesses claimed that the man threatened those who did not want to cooperate with the occupiers or did not show up for meetings, warning of possible "consequences." In addition, he collected information about ATO participants, their families and pro-Ukrainian villagers, explaining it as "security needs."

Witnesses also recalled that the defendant was in charge of organizing the repair of gas supply and utilities, but under his leadership, workers were paid in Russian rubles or not at all. According to one of the witnesses: "He said that the work should be done for free because 'Russia is restoring order'.

Some residents emphasized that the defendant was enthusiastic about cooperating with the occupiers. He went from house to house, convinced people to support the new government, and even helped the Russian military with the resettlement of locals in their homes.

Based on eyewitness testimony and other evidence collected, the court qualified the actions of the accused under Part 5 of Article 111-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine as collaboration. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison with confiscation of all his property.

Recently, the court sentenced a resident of Chornobaivka who organized a base for Russian military equipment and helped to resettle Russians during the occupation of Kherson region. The man was found guilty of aiding the aggressor state.

The former head of the village of Volodymyrivka, Olena Zavorikhina, who had sided with the Russians on her own, was also sentenced to 15 years in prison with confiscation of property.

A local resident will be tried for distributing Russian newspapers in Kherson. The case against her has been submitted to the court.

Ірина Глухова