In Mykolaiv, fans of Russia avoided real punishment

In Mykolaiv, supporters of the "Russian world" who publicly supported Russian aggression and wished for the occupation of Ukraine are massively avoiding real punishment even after court sentences. Some of them receive only suspended sentences or fines, while continuing to work in state and municipal institutions.

This is stated in the investigation of the Anti-Corruption Dimension.

The journalists analyzed several cases of Mykolaiv residents who were tried for justifying Russian aggression, calling for the seizure of Ukraine and supporting the Russian army. Most of the defendants entered into agreements with the investigation, pleaded guilty, and then the courts released them from actually serving their sentences.

Among the defendants is Roksolana Yeher, an accountant at the Central City Stadium municipal institution. According to the investigation, she used social media to call on Russian troops to "cleanse Mykolaiv of the bad guys" and make the city "Russian". The woman also claimed that "75% of Mykolaiv residents support Russia" and that "only Russians can return water to the city."

The court sentenced her to four years in prison, but released her from the actual sentence with a probationary period. In addition, she has to pay about 30 thousand hryvnias for the costs of examinations.

Another defendant is 26-year-old Valentyn Khoda from Mykolaiv, who wrote on social media that Russia "has the right to the entire territory of the Ukrainian SSR" and proposed to annex Ukraine to Russia in parts. He also avoided actual imprisonment by receiving a year of probation.

The journalists also mention lawyer Anatoly Secker, who called Vladimir Putin a "genius," predicted the arrival of the Russian army in Ukraine and even began writing a Ukrainophobic book. Despite his conviction for justifying Russian aggression, the court also released him from actual punishment, imposing a probationary period.

The authors of the material point out that lenient sentences can contribute to repeated manifestations of pro-Russian activities. In particular, in Mykolaiv, there have already been cases where people have been sentenced for supporting the Russian Federation again.

Андрій Колісніченко