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Comment of the MFA of Ukraine on the illegal sentence to Ukrainian POWs in Russia

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

18 October 2025 16:20

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine resolutely protests the illegal and politically motivated verdict issued by the Southern District Military Court of the Russian Federation on October 17, 2025, against 15 prisoners of war, soldiers of the 24th Separate Assault Battalion "Aidar".

The Russian "court" sentenced the Ukrainian defenders to lengthy terms of imprisonment—from 16 to 21 years in a strict regime penal colony—based solely on the fact of their military service in "Aidar", which had previously been groundlessly recognized as a "terrorist organization" in the Russian Federation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine emphasizes: in accordance with the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, Ukrainian servicemen are combatants and, upon capture, acquire the status of prisoners of war.

The Geneva Convention strictly prohibits any prosecution of prisoners of war for their participation in hostilities or for belonging to the armed forces of their state.

All attempts by the Russian Federation to prosecute Ukrainian prisoners of war for their lawful participation in the defense of their Homeland are null and void and unlawful.

This sham trial further demonstrates Russia's use of its judicial system as a tool for political repression, propaganda, and intimidation, which has nothing in common with justice and international law. This and all similar Russian verdicts are legally null and void.

Ukraine will continue to use every international platform and every leverage, and will make every effort to free its citizens from Russian prisons.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine calls on the international community to resolutely condemn the illegal verdicts of the Russian court, which constitute another war crime by the Russian Federation, as well as to intensify political-diplomatic and sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation demanding an immediate and unconditional release of all illegally detained citizens of Ukraine, including prisoners of war, political prisoners, and civilian hostages.

We are convinced that the global community that values the rule of law and human dignity must support Ukraine and the Ukrainian prisoners of war.