Ukrainian soldiers in occupied Donetsk face harsh verdicts
A court in occupied Donetsk has sentenced nine Ukrainian soldiers, who were defenders of Mariupol, to imprisonment terms ranging from 24 years to life. The verdicts have faced criticism from the international community.
The nine Ukrainian soldiers were sentenced by a court in occupied Donetsk to terms ranging from 24 years to life imprisonment. This information was provided by the Mariupol City Council, which operates in the territories of Ukraine. The sentences were announced by a court of the unrecognised Donetsk People's Republic.
Ukraine. Who are the sentenced soldiers?
The sentenced soldiers are members of the 31st Independent Marine Infantry Brigade, who defended Mariupol from the start of the Russian invasion. They were accused of shelling the Stary Krym district in Mariupol in March 2022. After nearly three months of fighting in the besieged Azovstal, they surrendered to the Russians in May 2022.
Ukraine. Mariupol defenders to be sent to penal colony
The soldiers will serve their terms in a high-security penal colony. "In occupied Donetsk, the so-called court of the Donetsk People's Republic sentenced nine soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The occupiers accused them of shelling the Stary Krym district in Mariupol in March 2022 and handed down sentences ranging from 24 years in prison to life imprisonment. The defenders will serve their sentences in a high-security penal colony," stated the Mariupol City Council.
The decision of the court in Donetsk was met with criticism from the international community, which does not recognise the legality of the Donetsk People's Republic. These sentences are viewed as part of a broader strategy of repression against Ukrainian defenders who resisted Russian aggression.
