A Man in Kyrgyzstan Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Participating in Military Action in Ukraine

The Pervomaisky District Court in Bishkek has sentenced a Kyrgyz citizen to 10 years in prison for participating in military operations in Ukraine for monetary gain. This was stated in the court's ruling.

According to the investigation, in June 2022, the 31-year-old defendant was in Moscow and decided to join the forces of the Luhansk People's Republic in exchange for payment due to "self-serving motives." He was recruited into a reserve motorized infantry battalion as a combat vehicle commander's assistant, with a monthly salary of 180,000 rubles.

The man received uniforms and weapons and was transferred to the village of Horsk, where, according to court documents, he participated in reconnaissance operations using drones.

Subsequently, the Kyrgyz citizen underwent combat training and transported shells and ammunition to the front lines in Soledar. In September, he was transferred to a mortar platoon in Popasnaya, where he provided food and clothing to soldiers on the front line. In November, he retired and returned to Bishkek.

In court, the defendant pleaded not guilty, claiming that he did not participate in military operations, did not enter Ukrainian territory, and had joined the Russian army to obtain Russian citizenship. The court found him guilty of participating in armed conflicts in other countries in exchange for material rewards without authorization from the authorities.

In September 2022, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan warned their citizens about criminal liability for participating in military operations in Ukraine. On May 15, 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin allowed foreigners to be granted Russian citizenship under a simplified procedure if they sign a one-year service contract during military operations. The previous version of the decree required foreigners to have been participants in military actions for at least six months to receive Russian passports after signing a contract for a minimum duration of one year.