Russia Sentences Ukrainian Nuclear Plant Engineer Serhii Potynh to 19 Years in Prison

Russian authorities sentenced Serhii Potynh, an employee of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant from the temporarily occupied city of Enerhodar, to 19 years in prison on March 26.

This was reported by the Mayor of Enerhodar, Dmytro Orlov, on March 26.

The man was found guilty on completely fabricated charges and sentenced to imprisonment in a high-security penal colony, the official noted.

“Serhii Potynh, a civilian engineer at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, was captured by the occupiers on June 23, 2023, and has been unlawfully detained for nearly two years,” Orlov wrote.

“He has been falsely charged with terrorism, which is clearly an act of revenge for his loyalty to Ukraine. His life and health are at risk!”

The Mayor urged the international community, diplomats, and human rights defenders to make every effort to secure the release of Potynh and all civilian prisoners.

On March 26, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don in Russia sentenced 23 Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian support staff associated with the Azov Brigade to lengthy prison terms, with charges ranging from violent seizure of power to terrorism-related offenses.