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Nine Ukrainians Sentenced to Up to 20 Years in Russia for “Terrorist Activities” in Occupied Kherson
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The Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don has sentenced the nine defendants in the “Kherson Nine” case to prison terms ranging from 14 to 20 years.
This was confirmed by Mediazona on January 30, citing official court reports.
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The accused were charged with involvement in a terrorist community (Article 205.4, part 2 of the Russian Criminal Code) and attempted acts of international terrorism (Article 361, part 1, combined with Article 30, part 3). Six of the defendants—Bogdanov, Kabakov, Kaev, Lyalko, Reznik, and Tavozhnyansky—also faced charges related to the preparation of such activities (Article 361, part 1, combined with Article 30, part 1).
According to Judge Kirill Krivtsov's ruling, Konstantin Reznik, an entrepreneur, was sentenced to 20 years in a high-security prison, with the first five years to be served in a correctional facility. His business partner, Serhii Kabakov, received the same sentence.
Serhii Heidt, the head of a fishing production unit, was sentenced to 17 years in a high-security prison, with the first five years to be spent in a prison facility.
Entrepreneur and Red Cross volunteer Yurii Kaev was sentenced to 14 years in a high-security prison, with the first five years to be served in a correctional facility. Former Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier Denis Lyalko was sentenced to the same term.
Oleh Bohdanov, former deputy head of the transportation, road infrastructure, and communications department of the Kherson City Council, received 18 years in a high-security prison, with the first five years to be spent in a prison facility. Former deputy head of the "Kherson-port" customs post, Yurii Tavozhnyansky, received the same sentence.
Serhii Ofitserov, a manager who holds Russian citizenship, was sentenced to 17 years in a high-security prison, with the first five years in a correctional facility.
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Serhii Kovalsky, an active member of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, was sentenced to 17 years in a high-security prison, with the first five years in a prison facility. During the trial, he requested recognition as a prisoner of war, but Judge Krivtsov denied the request, stating that "such status is not provided for under Russian criminal procedure law."
The case, which began in late 2023, involved nine individuals accused of planning a series of terrorist attacks in the occupied Kherson region in the spring and summer of 2022. The prosecution claims they were recruited by the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) to target pro-Russian officials, including Kyrylo Stremousov, the deputy head of the pro-Russian administration, and Vitalii Buliuk, the former head of Kherson's customs.
According to the indictment, the nine defendants joined a “terrorist community” with the intent to assassinate occupation officials. They were reportedly tasked with surveilling the officials, preparing explosives, and planting them on vehicles used by collaborators.
The case files mention another participant, Vasyl Stetsenko, who was allegedly arrested after refusing to cooperate with the occupation authorities. After his arrest, Stetsenko died in custody, reportedly due to beatings.
During the trial, all nine defendants retracted their previous confessions, claiming they were tortured in the basement of the former National Police building in Kherson. They alleged that confessions were coerced under duress.
Additionally, a secret witness identified as “Ivanov” confirmed the defendants were detained as part of "operational investigative activities" in the context of Russia's “special military operation .” The witness also stated that the detainees were held in a location inaccessible to third parties before their official arrest.
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In the detention center in Rostov-on-Don, where the defendants were held, they claimed to have faced physical abuse during each inspection. They alleged being struck with sticks and forced to sing the Russian national anthem, and that the mistreatment escalated after complaints from their lawyers.
Earlier, it was reported that Stephen James Hubbard, a 73-year-old retired American teacher, suffered severe torture in a Russian prison after being captured by Russian forces in Izium, Ukraine, in April 2022.
Hubbard, who had been living peacefully in Ukraine before Russia’s full-scale invasion, was taken into custody by Russian soldiers and charged with being a mercenary.
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-111f0e5095e02c02446ffed57bfb0ab1.jpeg "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
