Convicted Azov fighter fined in Russian prison for 'discrediting' Russian army

That is according to Mediazona, citing a court ruling dated February 25, Ukrinform reports.

Saikhiev – who is serving his sentence at Penal Colony No. 8 in Buryatia – told fellow inmates that the Russian army "attacked Ukraine," "occupied" its territory, and "killed civilians and struck social infrastructure with missiles."

Saikhiev's statements were confirmed by two prisoners who, the court ruling stressed, were "not subjected to any pressure aimed at obtaining specific testimony."

The Ukrainian prisoner of war also did not retract his words.

Saikhiev, 38, was born in the Dnipropetrovsk region. He served in the 12th Operational Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, which included the Azov unit.

In May 2022, Saikhiev took part in the defense of Mariupol, after which he was captured by Russian forces.

In late November 2024, the Ukrainian was sentenced to 18 years in a high-security penal colony for "participation in a terrorist community and training in terrorism."

On February 16, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced three captured fighters from the Azov Brigade to 20 years in prison each in a "terrorism" case.