Russia Seeks to Imprison Ukrainian Teenager for Alleged Donation to Azov

A prosecution office in temporary occupied Luhansk has forwarded charges against Ivan Semykoz, a 19-year-old Ukrainian, to a Russian court, alleging his involvement in “terrorist activity.”

According to statements from the local prosecutor’s office, Semykoz’s case will be heard at the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don.

Semykoz, originally from Bilovodsk, Luhansk region, is known to live with his mother and younger sister, and the family works in agriculture. In February 2024, investigators claim he transferred funds via a mobile application to the Azov Brigade, which is banned and classified as a terrorist organization in Russia. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.

Since the beginning of this year, at least 75 cases against Ukrainian detainees have been registered with the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don. Ukrainian law enforcement has already issued warrants in absentia against judges involved in these cases.

Recently, a man from temporary occupied Luhansk was sentenced to eight years for a similar alleged donation to Azov.