Minor in Mykolaiv Sentenced to 5 Years for Arson on Russian Orders

A minor resident of Mykolaiv region set fire to transformer substations on the instructions of Russians and received money. The court found him guilty, sentenced him to five years in prison, but released him from serving the sentence on condition of compensation for the damage.

This is evidenced by the verdict of the Pervomaiskyi City District Court.

According to the case, in September 2024, the teenager began communicating with an unidentified person and was tasked with setting fire to various objects for a reward. He agreed to set fire to transformer substations. In October, he invited his girlfriend to set fire to a transformer on the territory of the Kryvoozerska community, filming his actions on his phone. For completing the task, he received 200 USDT on his e-wallet.

Two days later, he invited his friend to carry out the same arson in the village of Berizky, and three similar cases were established in the village of Lukanivka. In total, the teenager received USD 200 for the sabotage.

In December, the SBU reported the detention of four teenagers in the Kryvoozerska community. At the trial, the accused fully admitted his guilt and expressed remorse. A plea agreement was concluded between the accused and the prosecutor. The court sentenced him to five years in prison, but based on Article 75, the sentence was suspended, and the teenager was also obliged to pay damages.

Law enforcement officers found that the teenagers chose objects for arson on the instructions of their supervisors, took pictures of them and waited for permission to destroy them. After the arson, they recorded their actions on video and sent a report to the customers, and during the searches, the defendants' cell phones, SIM cards and bank cards used to communicate with the curators were seized.

Also in Voznesensk, the court sentenced a minor for sabotage on the railroad to 5 years of probation. Last year, two 16-year-old teenagers set fire to a police car on the instructions of an anonymous curator, carrying out the task via the Telegram messenger. They currently face up to 10 years in prison.

Анна Бальчінос