Ukrainian POW sentenced in Russia to 18 years in prison for serving with Azov Regiment

In Rostov-on-Don, the Southern District Military Court sentenced a captured Ukrainian man, Vladyslav Plahotnyk, to 18 years in a top security penal colony.

He was accused of serving in the Azov unit, which Russia had declared a terrorist organization, Ukrinform reports referring to Radio Liberty.

The court found Plahotnyk guilty on charges of "participation in a terrorist organization" and "training for terrorism."

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The Southern District Military Court continues to hear cases involving Ukrainian POWs. These trials are a violation of international law and part of Russia's political strategy against Ukraine.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation recognized Azov as a terrorist organization and banned it. Also, the Azov unit is regularly exploited by Russian propaganda to claim Ukraine's support for neo-Nazism at the government level.

Photo: RFE/RL