Russian-installed court in DPR sentences 8 Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol for over 15 years

The Supreme Court of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) has sentenced eight Ukrainian servicemen from the 36th Separate Marine Brigade to prison terms ranging from 15 to 17 years, the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation reports.

Russian courts often sentence Ukrainian soldiers to prison terms ranging from 10 to 20 years on charges related to alleged war crimes and actions against civilians during the ongoing war. However, these courts are criticized for lacking independence and transparency, especially in high-profile cases involving political dissenters, foreign nationals, or individuals linked to Ukraine. 

The court proceedings took place within the jurisdiction of the self-proclaimed DNR, which is not internationally recognized. 

According to the Investigative Committee, Denys Syvets received the longest sentence of 17 years, while Yurii Halatskyi and Vitalii Kyrylenko were sentenced to 16 years each. Leonid Bulava, Semen Beliak, Yaroslav Bozhkov, and Ihor Zharenkov received 15 years and 6 months each, and Pavel Bey was sentenced to 15 years and 3 months in a strict regime correctional colony.

The marines were found guilty under Russian criminal code articles covering “cruel treatment of civilian population, use of prohibited means and methods in armed conflict” and “intentional damage to others’ property causing significant damage.”

The prosecution alleged that between March and April 2022, while stationed in Mariupol, the defendants fired mortars at gas distribution and pumping stations, causing significant damage to critical infrastructure. 

The Investigative Committee reports that the defendants admitted guilt during the investigation. However, the Russians frequently obtain confessions through coercion, torture, or threats.

In October, Ukraine secured the release of 95 defenders from Russian captivity, including 20 who faced life sentences in Russia.

In July, a Ukrainian court sentenced a woman from Cherkasy to life imprisonment for state treason after she provided precise military target coordinates to Russian forces, enabling missile strikes on the region. During February 2023, she shared information with Russian special services (FSB) and praised Russian military actions, including the Wagner group, on social media.

In May, a Ukrainian court also sentenced a 35-year-old man from Izium, Kharkiv Oblast, to 12 years in prison for collaborating with Russian forces during their occupation in June 2022.

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