Trials against Ukrainians in Rostov: the Azov Brigade case

The South District military court in Rostov-on-Don is hearing a criminal case against Ukrainian citizens charged with "participation in a terrorist organization" and "attempted violent coup". All defendants have been linked to Azov Brigade, a formation of the National Guard of Ukraine.

The prosecution demanded prison terms of 16 to 24 years for 21 Ukrainians: Olena Avramova, Olena Bondarchuk, Nina Bondarenko, Natalya Golfiner, Artem Hrebeshkov, Artur Hretsky, Anatoly Hritsyk, Oleksandr Irkha, Davyd Kasatkyn, Dmytro Labynsky, Vladyslav Maiboroda, Oleksandr Merochenets, Oleg Mizhhorodsky, Iryna Mohytich, Oleksandr Mukhin, Lilia Pavrianydys, Lilia Rudenko, Oleksiy Smykov, Maryna Tekyn, Mykyta Tymonin, Oleg Tyshkula, Oleg Zharkov and Yaroslav Zhdamarov.

Davyd Kasatkin and Dmytro Labynsky, who have been exchanged in a prisoner swap, are tried in absentia. Oleksandr Ishchenko died in custody pending trial in July 2024.

We follow this and other illegal trials of Ukrainians who were forcibly moved to Russia, and publish regular updates about the proceedings.

Our reports on the hearings of this case are available in Russian. If you need to have them translated, please message us at [email protected].