Based on the evidence collected by the Security Service of Ukraine, another ruscist who participated in the shooting of Ukrainian prisoners of war has been sentenced to life imprisonment. After committing war crimes, he himself was captured by the defenders of Kharkiv region and has now received the maximum sentence.

The perpetrator is a 36-year-old russian citizen, Sergei Tuzhilov (call sign Altai) – a rifleman of the 69^th motorised rifle division of russia’s Leningrad military district. Before the mobilisation, he had twice served time in russian prisons for drug crimes and robbery.

The investigation established that Tuzhilov fought near Vovchansk in June 2024. During the assault on a local plant, the militant and his accomplice shot three Ukrainian Armed Forces servicemen who had been taken prisoner.

Tuzhilov personally shot a bound Ukrainian soldier in the back of the head with his service weapon.

The perpetrator also chose the locations for the murder of two other POWs and guarded the perimeter during the shootings. Before that, the occupiers tied the victims to posts and tortured them.

The militants then reported the results of the torture to their command via radio and agreed the executions.

A few weeks later, Ukrainian defenders destroyed Tuzhilov’s unit, and he himself, as the only survivor, was taken prisoner.

Based on the evidence collected by the SSU cyber units and investigators, the court found the russian citizen guilty under the Articles of the CCU:

• 27.5, 28.2, 438.2 (aiding and abetting in the cruel treatment of prisoners of war, combined with intentional murder);
• 28.2, 438.2 (war crimes combined with intentional murder, committed by a group, acting in concert).

The investigation was carried out by the SSU Office in Kharkiv region under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.