We know from official and unofficial data about 525 soldiers of the armed forces of Ukraine who were taken prisoner during operations in the Kurski region. This means that over 50 percent Prisoners have already received judgments in Russia. Ukraine managed to mention another seven soldiers. Of the remaining 228 people, four are certainly covered by the investigation, the others do not have certain information: whether the proceedings were initiated against them, or are they detained as ordinary prisoners of war.
Virtually all judgments were issued on the basis of an article of the Terrorist Penal Code. At the same time, according to the press messages of the Russian prosecutor's office, Ukrainian soldiers are most often accused of “illegal crossing of the border”, “blocking the village”, “impeding evacuation.” The Memorial Organization of Human Rights outlawed in Russia points out that prisoners are persecuted for serving in the army and participation in war on Russia, which violates their right to a reliable trial, as well as law and freedom guaranteed by the Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners of war.
Sergei Dawidis, who manages the project of support for political prisoners, notes that the persecution of prisoners of war on the basis of an article on terrorism is contrary to the norms of international law: – The allegation of terrorism is essentially not applicable in the situation of international armed conflict. Specific acts described in such judgments either do not constitute crimes, or constitute a violation of war rights and customs, which as such should be proven and prosecuted. Since such allegations were not made, it turns out in fact that prosecution takes place for the very fact of participation in war, which is actually contrary to the Geneva Convention regarding prisoners of war.
The convictions of prisoners of war from Kursk are from 13 to 28 years old, and in one case a life sentence was made. The average sentence was 15.7 years imprisonment. All convicted men are to spend the first few years penalties in plants with a maximum level of insulation, and then they are to be transferred to the “more free” colonies with high rigor. Not a single acquittal was passed.
Among the 15 people convicted in absentia, most are not Ukrainian citizens: the list includes US citizens, Peru, Paraguay, Georgia, Lithuania and Denmark. Among the convicted foreigners are the most citizens of Georgia, there are six of them. All foreigners were additionally accused of “mercenary”.
Cases against prisoners of Kursk are considered in accelerated mode. The average time from the moment the case was received to the court to announce a judgment in cases of Ukrainian soldiers is 43 days. Meanwhile, in 2025, the average time of consideration of terrorist cases in the courts was 99 days.
Investigations in the matter of Ukrainian soldiers who were taken prisoner in the Kurski region also run faster than usual. The average time from the moment of charges to refer the case to court was 5.5 months. Meanwhile, in the case of other matters related to terrorism, this time usually ranges from 12 to 18 months.
