Traitor from Kherson region sentenced for serving in enemy army

The court found a native of Kherson region guilty of high treason and collaboration. The man voluntarily signed a contract with the Russian Armed Forces, fought against Ukraine in Donetsk region and was taken prisoner during a combat engagement.

This is evidenced by the verdict of the Zavodsky District Court of Kamenskoye.

As the court found, after the start of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation on February 24, 2022, and the introduction of martial law throughout Ukraine, the accused decided to go over to the enemy in April 2025. On April 24, 2025, he arrived at the military commissariat of the Russian Federation in the temporarily occupied Kalanchak in Kherson region, where he voluntarily signed a contract for a one-year term and was promoted to the rank of "private."

After that, he was sent to a training ground where he underwent military training, received a Russian-style uniform, an AK-74 rifle and other equipment. He was later assigned as a rifleman to a unit that was part of the armed forces of the aggressor state. Since August 2025, the man has been at the forefront in Donetsk region.

On August 9, 2025, he took part in an attack on the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near the village of Novotoretske, Pokrovsk district, Donetsk region. During the engagement, he was detained by Ukrainian soldiers. Thus, his participation in hostilities on the side of the enemy was terminated.

In court, the defendant fully admitted his guilt and explained that he entered into the contract because of a significant child support debt and the need for funds. According to him, he was promised a payment of about 200 thousand rubles per month. In fact, he received approximately 170 thousand rubles per month.

The court concluded that the man's guilt was fully proven by the evidence collected, including identification protocols, interrogations of witnesses, materials from investigative experiments and a review of open Internet resources. His actions were classified under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - high treason, as well as under Part 7 of Article 111-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - collaboration.

Taking into account the gravity of the crimes, which are classified as particularly serious, the court sentenced him to 15 years in prison with confiscation of all property. He was also deprived of the right to hold positions in state and local government for 12 years. The sentence will be counted from the day the sentence is enforced.

The court also found the native of Odesa region guilty of high treason and collaboration for his service in the Russian army. After leaving Ukraine, he signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense and performed missions in the occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Анна Бальчінос