Based on the evidence collected by the Security Service of Ukraine, the Prosecutor General’s Office and the law enforcement agencies of Finland, a court in Finland has sentenced a russian citizen, Yan Petrovsky, who committed war crimes in Ukraine, to a real term of imprisonment.

The presiding judge of the Helsinki District Court sentenced him to life imprisonment.

This is the first time in the history of Finland that a russian citizen has been convicted of war crimes against Ukraine.

According to the investigation, Yan Petrovsky (also known as Voyislav Torden) was involved in the murder of 22 Ukrainian soldiers and the serious injury of four others in Luhansk region in autumn 2014.

The perpetrator was then photographed in front of the bodies of the dead and tortured Ukrainian servicemen.

At the time, Petrovsky was a member of the Rusich sabotage and reconnaissance assault group of the 2^nd army corps of russia’s Southern military district.

As a deputy commander of the enemy unit, he took part in battles against the Anti-Terrorist Operation forces in eastern Ukraine.

On 20 July 2023, the Finnish police detained the ruscist at Helsinki Airport.

The National Bureau of Investigation of Finland, together with the Security Service and the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, then launched a joint investigation into Petrovsky’s war crimes.

The Ukrainian law enforcement provided the Finnish partners with comprehensive assistance in the investigation: the agencies conducted investigative actions with victims and witnesses and initiated additional forensic examinations.

As a result of the joint efforts of Ukraine and Finland, substantiated evidence of Petrovsky’s guilt was collected, and he has been sentenced to imprisonment.

This case has become a precedent in international justice, proving once again the inevitability of punishment for killing Ukrainians.

The Security Service of Ukraine continues to cooperate with foreign partners to bring to justice all those involved in crimes against Ukraine.