Based on the SSU’s evidence, another five traitors who fought against Ukraine’s Defence Forces on the eastern front have been convicted to prison.

Three of them were captured during combat near Avdiivka in September 2023.

At that time, Ukrainian defenders not only took the militants prisoner but also repelled over 10 attacks by russian troops.

Another two were captured during fighting near Maryinka in Donetsk region.

Following the SSU’s investigation, the court sentenced the enemy accomplices to 15 years in prison.

Among the convicted is a native of temporarily occupied Makiivka. At the beginning of russia’s full-scale invasion, he voluntarily joined the ‘Somalia’ assault battalion, which is subordinated to russia’s Southern military district.

He was appointed a sniper and deployed to the front line near Bakhmut and Volnovakha.

Another militant is a resident of Crimea. In April 2023, he joined the ‘Irbis-Z’ assault company of the russian PMC ‘Redut’.

Serving there, the traitor equipped enemy fortifications and shelled Ukrainian positions on Donetsk direction.

Three more sentenced militants fought as part of the 114^th separate motorized infantry brigade and the 114^th battalion of the so-called ‘DNR people’s militia’.

After completing training, one of them was appointed a gunner for BMP-1.

From enemy armoured vehicles, he fired at residential buildings in Mariupol and stormed the AFU positions near Sievierodonetsk and Avdiivka.

Based on the evidence collected, the court found all five accused guilty under Articles 111.1, 111.2 of the CCU (high treason).

Three of the perpetrators have been additionally charged under two Articles of the CCU:

• 258-3.1 (participation in a terrorist group or terrorist organization);
• 260.2 (participation in unlawful armed groups).

The investigation was carried by the SSU Offices in Lviv, Donetsk and Luhansk regions under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.