The SSU has collected evidence on another two members of russian occupation troops, who stormed towns in eastern Ukraine.

Both militants were captured during combat near Bakhmut.

The court sentenced them to 9 and 10 years in prison.

One of the convicts is a 23-year-old former prisoner, who had been serving a sentence in a penal colony in Tyumen, russia, for rape.

In October 2022, ‘Wagner’ PMC offered him a contract. The ‘recruit’ was promised RUB 200,000 and expunging of his criminal record.

The mercenary agreed and in early December 2022 was deployed to the eastern front, where was captured by Ukrainian defenders a few days later.

The court found him guilty under Article 447.4 of the CCU - mercenarism.

The other convict is a resident of Luhansk oblast who joined the occupation troops of russia’s Southern military district before the full-scale invasion.

Being a sniper and then a scout, the man took an active part in warfare near Rubizhne, Lysychansk and Popasna.

Earlier this year, he underwent special training and was enrolled in the occupation unit ‘Storm’, formed by the aggressor to break through the positions of Ukraine’s Defence Forces near Bakhmut.

In March, Ukrainian defenders detained the militant during combat near the Ukrainian city.

Based on the evidence collected, the court found the accused guilty under two Articles of the CCU:

• 110.2 (encroachment on Ukraine’s territorial integrity and inviolability);
• 260.2 (participation in unlawful paramilitary or armed groups).

The SSU Office in Donetsk and Luhansk regions carried out the investigation under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office.