ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia (BN24) — In a widely criticized move, a Russian military court convicted 15 Ukrainian soldiers on terrorism charges Friday, sentencing them to prison terms of up to 21 years. The soldiers, members of Ukraine’s Aidar battalion, were found guilty in a trial that Ukrainian officials and human rights organizations have denounced as a blatant violation of international law.
The Second Western District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don delivered sentences ranging from 15 to 21 years. This conviction marks the second mass trial of Ukrainian prisoners of war, following a similar ruling in March where 23 soldiers from the Azov Brigade were convicted on analogous charges.
Ukraine’s human rights envoy, Dmytro Lubinets, was quick to condemn the ruling, calling the trial “shameful.” He asserted that Russia was criminalizing those who had fought to defend their homeland against foreign aggression. “Russia is making criminals out of those who defended their native land,” Lubinets stated, underscoring the political nature of the charges.
The trial has drawn sharp rebukes from human rights groups, including Memorial, one of Russia’s leading human rights organizations. Memorial has labeled the convicted soldiers as political prisoners, asserting that the proceedings violated the core principles of international law. The group condemned the court’s actions as a breach of the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit the prosecution of prisoners of war solely for their participation in armed conflict.
“This grossly violates the provisions of the Geneva Convention, which prohibits the prosecution of prisoners of war solely for their participation in an armed conflict,” Memorial said in a statement. The human rights organization emphasized that the soldiers were being tried for serving in the Aidar battalion, rather than being accused of specific war crimes.
The Aidar battalion, which was formed in 2014 in the wake of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, is among several volunteer battalions that became integral to Ukraine’s defense against Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. Russia has designated both the Azov and Aidar battalions as terrorist organizations, accusing them of committing war crimes and atrocities—claims that Ukrainian officials and defenders of the battalions fiercely contest.
The trial took place in Rostov-on-Don, a city in southern Russia near the Ukrainian border, and was held mostly behind closed doors. Journalists were allowed to attend only the initial sessions and the announcement of the verdict. Human rights advocates have raised concerns over the lack of transparency in the proceedings, as well as the broader context of politically motivated trials targeting Ukrainian soldiers.
Both the Ukrainian government and international bodies have expressed grave concern over Russia’s use of terrorism charges against soldiers engaged in a conflict where the lines between combatant and prisoner of war have become increasingly blurred. The convictions are seen as part of a broader pattern of legal actions by Russia aimed at undermining the legitimacy of Ukraine’s armed forces and the volunteer battalions that have played a central role in the country’s defense.
As Russia continues its military campaign in Ukraine, the fate of prisoners of war has emerged as a key point of international debate, with calls for adherence to the Geneva Conventions and the protection of those captured during armed conflicts. The sentencing of the 15 soldiers serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing human rights challenges faced by both sides in the war.
