Ukrainian Woman Detained by Russian FSB in Crimea Faces Treason Over $27 Drone Donation

Russian FSB officers detained 34-year-old Ukrainian Liudmyla Kolesnikova while she was attending her mother’s funeral in occupied Yalta, Crimea, later charging her with ‘treason’ for a minor $27 (€25) donation toward Ukrainian defense efforts, Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group reported on October 31.

The Russian government only acknowledged her detention three months after her capture, during which she was reportedly held incommunicado.

According to the charges, Kolesnikova, who had been living in Ireland since 2022 and was studying to become a cosmetologist, allegedly committed “treason through espionage” by purchasing two NFT “Russian warship” stamps, on sale supporting Ukrainian drone production.

FSB officers are believed to have found evidence of the donation only after gaining access to her phone. If convicted, she could face a prison sentence of up to 20 years.

Kolesnikova’s plight remained unknown until early October when she was formally remanded in custody on October 3 and able to communicate her situation in a letter to a volunteer.

In her letter, Kolesnikova recounted her ordeal: she had come to Yalta in June for her mother’s funeral and was seized at the cemetery by FSB officers.

With both of her parents now deceased and no family in Crimea, she was reportedly held for months without formal charges, denied access to an independent lawyer, and kept without basic necessities.

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Earlier, Russia’s Southern District Military Court sentenced Ukrainian citizen Denys Narolsky to 18 years in prison, accusing him of “state treason” for refusing to fight against Ukraine.