The case of the 18. Russian prosectution requests 20 to 24 years in prison for Aidar battalion POWs—a photo report

37-year-old mortar platoon commander Ihor Hayokha is charged under three articles of the Russian Criminal Code: “participating in the activities of a terrorist organization,” “violent seizure of power,” and “training for terrorist purposes.” The prosecutor has requested a 24-year prison sentence in a maximum security prison (strict conditions penal colony) for him.

48-year-old Vitalii Hruzinov is known in Ukraine under the pseudonym Kozak Vedmenko. Before the war, he was an activist and journalist. The prosecutor has requested a 20-year prison sentence.

50-year-old military medic Andrii Sholik faces a 20-year prison sentence on charges of “participating in a terrorist organization” and “violent seizure of power.”

The same sentence has been requested for military drivers Dmytro Fedchenko and Vitalii Krokhalov.

32-year-old grenadier Serhii Nikitiuk is charged under three articles of the Criminal Code and faces 20 years in prison.

Grenadier assistant Viacheslav Baiduk is charged with “participating in a terrorist organization” and “violent seizure of power” and faces 21 years in prison.

The prosecution is seeking a 23-year prison sentence for assault trooper Mykola Chupryna, who is сharged with three articles of the Criminal Code.

24-years-old sniper Oleksandr Taranets faces a 23-year sentence.

28-year-old Roman Nedostupa was also a sniper with Aidar, and the prosecution is also seeking a 23-year sentence for him.

Semen Zabayrachnyi was a drone operator, aged 28. The prosecution is seeking a 24-year sentence for him.

Sniper Vladimir Makarenko, who is the same age as Roman Nedostupa, is charged under three articles of the Criminal Code, and the prosecution is also seeking a 23-year sentence for him.

Military driver Vladyslav Yermolinskyi faces 23 years in a maximum security prison.

31-year-old commander of a platoon in an assault company Serhii Kalinchenko faces a sentence of 24 years.

Taras Radchenko, 25, was the head of intelligence and assistant chief of staff of Aidar. He faces 24 years in a maximum security prison.

The cases against two women who served in Aidar, military medics Maryna Mishchenko and Liliia Prutian, have been severed into a separate proceeding. They returned to Ukraine as part of a prisoner exchange on 13 September 2024.

The case of driver Yevgeny Pyatigorts has also been separated. It is unknown what is currently happening with his case and when he will be sentenced.

Editors: Maria Klimova, Dmitry Tkachev