Russia Convicts 15 Ukrainian Prisoners of War on Terrorism Charges

A court in southern Russia has convicted 15 Ukrainian prisoners of war, sentenced to prison terms ranging from 15 to 21 years, on terrorism charges in a trial denounced by Kyiv as a sham and a violation of international law. The verdict marks the second mass trial of Ukrainian prisoners of war since March, when 23 members of the elite Azov brigade were convicted on similar charges. The trial was condemned by Ukraine as a violation of international law, with Ukraine's human rights envoy, Dmytro Lubinets, calling it "shameful" and charging that "Russia is making criminals out of those who defended their native land."

Key Takeaways:

• 15 Ukrainian prisoners of war were convicted on terrorism charges by a Russian court in Rostov-on-Don, sentenced to prison terms ranging from 15 to 21 years.
• The trial was condemned by Ukraine as a sham and a violation of international law, with Ukraine's human rights envoy, Dmytro Lubinets, calling it "shameful."
• The defendants were members of the Aidar battalion, which Russia has designated as a terrorist group.
• Memorial, a human rights organization, has designated the defendants as political prisoners, arguing that the trial violated international conventions protecting POWs.
• Russia has labeled both the Azov and Aidar groups as terrorist organizations and accused their members of war crimes.
• The Aidar battalion, along with other volunteer units, was integrated into the Ukrainian military after being created in 2014 to fight against Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.
• The trial was held in a military court in Rostov-on-Don, with most of the proceedings held behind closed doors.

Statistics:

• 15 Ukrainian prisoners of war were convicted on terrorism charges.
• Prison sentences ranged from 15 to 21 years.
• The trial saw 18 initial defendants, with two nurses returned to Ukraine as part of a prisoner swap and a driver's proceedings held separately.
• The trial was held in a military court in Rostov-on-Don, approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) east of the border with Ukraine.
• 23 members of the Azov brigade were convicted on similar charges in a trial in March.

Sources:

• "Russia Convicts 15 Ukrainian Prisoners of War on Terrorism Charges." (2025). The Associated Press.