Russian Military Court Delivers Verdicts
A Russian military court on Friday, October 17, 2025, handed down lengthy prison sentences to 15 members of Ukraine's Aidar Battalion. The Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced the Ukrainian fighters, captured in 2022, to terms ranging from 15 to 21 years in a maximum-security penal colony. The men were found guilty of participating in a 'terrorist organization,' among other charges.
Charges and Sentences Detailed
The charges against the defendants included 'participating in the activities of a terrorist organization,' 'violent seizure of power,' and 'training for terrorist purposes.' According to reports, two of the accused admitted guilt, while the remaining 13 plan to appeal the verdicts. Specific sentences varied, with individuals like Dmytro Fedchenko receiving 15 years, while Vitaliy Gruzinov, Roman Nedostup, and Serhiy Kalinchenko were sentenced to 21 years. The trials, which began in 2023, were conducted behind closed doors.
The Aidar Battalion: Background and Russian Designation
The Aidar Battalion was formed in 2014 as one of several volunteer units in Ukraine, emerging in response to Russia's aggression in the eastern regions. These units were later integrated into Ukraine's armed forces. Russia, along with the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, designated the Aidar Battalion as a 'terrorist group.' Russian authorities claim the charges against the servicemen relate to alleged activities that occurred between August 2014 and March 2022, prior to the full-scale invasion.
International Condemnation and Legal Debates
The sentencing has drawn strong criticism from Ukraine and international human rights organizations. Ukraine's human rights envoy, Dmytro Lubinets, previously denounced similar Russian trials as 'shameful,' stating that 'Russia is making criminals out of those who defended their native land.' Human rights groups, including the now-banned Russian organization Memorial, argue that these convictions violate the Geneva Conventions. They contend that prosecuting prisoners of war solely for their participation in an armed conflict, without charges of specific war crimes, is a breach of international law. Russia, however, rejects these accusations, asserting that the charges are based on alleged criminal activities. Notably, none of the convicted men were accused of war crimes.
6 Comments
Africa
This is a complete farce! They are prisoners of war, not terrorists.
Katchuka
Another blatant violation of international law. Russia ignores all conventions.
BuggaBoom
The article details Russia's legal justification for these sentences, yet the strong condemnation from human rights organizations regarding Geneva Convention violations cannot be ignored. Both perspectives are at play.
KittyKat
Russia has a right to prosecute those who threaten its security. Period.
Noir Black
Prosecuting soldiers for fighting is a war crime itself. Disgraceful.
Eugene Alta
Understandably, Russia wants to secure its borders and punish those it deems a threat. Yet, the method of these closed-door trials and the 'terrorist' designation for a military unit are highly problematic for international relations and justice.