An Uzbek citizen who admitted to killing more than 10 Ukrainian soldiers while fighting for Russia in Ukraine has been sentenced to four years and two months of restricted freedom. The verdict was delivered by the Andijan City Criminal Court following his confession and presentation of evidence.
The 39-year-old defendant, identified as T.A., traveled to Moscow in April 2023 in search of seasonal work. He was recruited into the Russian Armed Forces by a Russian national who promised a monthly salary of 450,000 rubles (~$4,950) and compensation for injuries. T.A. underwent two months of military training in Moscow before signing a contract with the Russian Armed Forces on July 21, 2023.
Combat and Confession
Deployed to Ukraine in late July, T.A. participated in battles in Shakhtarsk and Bakhmut, where he admitted to killing over 10 Ukrainian soldiers. Recognized for his performance in combat, he was transferred to a reconnaissance unit and served in Luhansk for five months.
Returning to Moscow in December 2023, T.A. declined an offer to extend his service. He returned to Uzbekistan on December 31, crossing the border via Kazakhstan. Upon his return, he voluntarily surrendered to local authorities, providing documents that confirmed his military service with the Russian Armed Forces.
In court, T.A. expressed remorse, stating that financial hardship and his role as the sole breadwinner for his family motivated his actions. He admitted guilt and pleaded for leniency.
Legal Proceedings
The court convicted T.A. under Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code, specifically for mercenary activities (Article 154) and joining foreign military service (Article 154-1). Both offenses typically carry sentences ranging from five to ten years, but the court considered mitigating factors, including his full confession, lack of prior convictions, family circumstances, and three children.
As part of his sentence, T.A. is prohibited from leaving his residence except for work or education. He cannot change his address or leave Andijan province without approval from the authorities.
Unpaid Promises
Despite being promised significant compensation, T.A. only received two payments of 150,000 rubles (~$1,650) before payments stopped. He cited this broken promise during the proceedings as part of his disillusionment.
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