Russia sentences three captured Azov fighters to 5.5–19 years in prison

This was reported by Mediazona, citing the court’s press service, according to Ukrinform.

All three were charged for serving in the Azov Brigade.

Among those convicted is 54-year-old Serhii Blyzniuk, who was sentenced to 18 years in prison; 36-year-old Hennadii Bybochkin received 19 years in a maximum-security prison; and Volodymyr Reva was sentenced to 5.5 years in prison.

The first two were accused of participating in a terrorist organization and training in terrorism, while Reva was convicted solely for participation.

It is noted that no further details were provided in court.

According to the publication, Serhii Blyzniuk began serving in the National Guard of Ukraine in 2014, and four years later transferred to “Azov,” where he served as a machine gunner. On March 8, 2022, he was seriously wounded during street fighting and was evacuated to the “Azovstal” bunker. On May 18, Blyzniuk surrendered to Russian troops.

Bybochkin was also taken prisoner at that time.

Reva served in Azov for a short time—about three months. He was a driver in the support platoon of a howitzer artillery battalion.

Reva received the lightest sentence because Azov fighters had not previously been sentenced to more than five and a half years, the publication adds.

As reported by Ukrinform, in Russia, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don handed down sentences to three Ukrainian prisoners of war from the Azov Brigade on charges of terrorism.