A military court in Russia sentenced 12 members of Ukraine’s Azov regiment to lengthy prison terms for their roles in defending Mariupol during the early stages of the conflict. The Azov regiment, labeled a “terrorist organization” by Russia, faced charges of terrorist activities and forcefully seizing power. Sentences ranged from 13 to 23 years, as reported by Russian state media.
Additionally, 11 other individuals who had been part of prisoner exchanges with Ukraine and subsequently returned were also sentenced in absentia. Among them were nine women who had served as army cooks. The convicted Azov members, all appearing with shaved heads in court, plan to appeal the verdicts. Some of them denied any wrongdoing or claimed that their testimonies were coerced, though Reuters could not verify these claims.
Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman condemned the court’s decisions, calling them illegal and a violation of international humanitarian law. He further stated that Ukrainian prisoners of war were combatants fulfilling their duty to protect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Despite Russia’s portrayal of the Azov regiment as a fanatical neo-Nazi group, Ukraine maintains that the regiment is not a terrorist organization, emphasizing its transformation into an apolitical entity within the National Guard.
The Azov fighters, seen as heroes by many Ukrainians for their resilience in Mariupol, were eventually besieged by Russian forces. Following the surrender of nearly 2,500 members, Russia assured that they would be treated in accordance with international standards. Notably, Russian courts have convicted 145 Azov members to date.
In related news, the United States brokered agreements with Ukraine and Russia to halt hostilities in the Black Sea and cease attacks on energy targets. While these ceasefires were to take effect immediately, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy criticized Moscow for continuing drone attacks, signaling a lack of commitment to genuine peace. Russia insisted that the Black Sea agreements were contingent on the reconnection of certain banks to international financial systems.
The ongoing conflict has witnessed frequent drone attacks and power outages in Ukrainian cities. Recent reports indicate Russian strikes on gas facilities and Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil facilities. Amidst these developments, Russia seeks to ease barriers to its agricultural exports, including the reconnection of Rosselkhozbank to SWIFT. Moscow’s decision to withdraw from a previous UN and Turkey-brokered agreement in 2022 stemmed from unmet promises regarding export facilitations for its food and fertilizer industries.
