Based on the evidence collected by the SSU, two enemy accomplices, who joined russian occupation groupings and fought against Ukraine’s Defence Forces, have been convicted to imprisonment.

Ukrainian defenders took both militants prisoner during the counteroffensive near Bakhmut.

During the pre-trial investigation, the detained enemy soldiers testified about the war crimes committed by ruscists in eastern Ukraine.

These included the use of banned phosphorus bombs against the civilian infrastructure of Popasna, Luhansk oblast, the looting of Myronivska Thermal Power Plant and private homes in Donetsk oblast.

Given their cooperation with the investigation, the court sentenced one of the accused to 10 years and the second – to 15 years behind bars.

According to the investigation, one of the militants had been fighting against Ukraine since 2014. Back then, he, a resident of Luhansk region, joined the russian militant Kozitsyn’s terrorist groups and shelled Ukrainian positions near the Svitlodarsk Bulge.

After the start of russia’s full-scale invasion, the man transferred to the 85^th separate motorized rifle brigade of the russian armed forces.

The enemy soldier took part in battles near Bakhmut, including to deter Ukraine’s counteroffensive near Klishchiyivka.

The other convicted individual is a resident of Luhansk oblast who in February 2022 enrolled to the 6^th motorized rifle ‘cossack’ regiment of russia’s 2^nd army corps.

The occupiers’ accomplice underwent tactical and fire training at a training ground to conduct assault operations in urban environment.

Later, the militant was deployed to Bakhmut direction, where he fired at Ukrainian combat positions near Kurdyumivka.

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