A Russian military court has sentenced 12 members of Ukraine's Azov Regiment to lengthy prison terms ranging from 13 to 23 years, accusing them of terrorist activities and attempting to violently seize power. The verdict, delivered on March 26, 2025, in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, has sparked strong condemnation from Ukraine and human rights organizations, with calls for international intervention.
The convicted individuals were among the defenders of Mariupol, the strategic port city that witnessed intense battles in the early months of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Following a prolonged siege, many Ukrainian fighters surrendered at the Azovstal steel plant in May 2022 and were subsequently taken into Russian custody. While some were later released in prisoner exchanges, others remained detained and faced criminal proceedings in Russia.
In addition to the 12 individuals sentenced in person, the court also handed down punishments in absentia to 11 other Azov fighters who had been previously exchanged and returned to Ukraine. These individuals were tried and sentenced in their absence under Russian anti-terrorism laws.
Ukraine has strongly condemned the sentencing, calling it a violation of international humanitarian law. Ukrainian Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets stated that the verdicts are "illegitimate" and pledged to appeal to the United Nations and other international bodies to challenge Russia’s actions. He emphasized that the prisoners are officially recognized as combatants under the Geneva Conventions and should be treated as prisoners of war, not criminals.
Meanwhile, human rights groups, including the Russian-based Memorial organization, have labeled the convicted individuals as political prisoners. Memorial, which has been critical of the Kremlin’s crackdown on dissent, argued that the trial was politically motivated and part of Russia's broader effort to demonize the Azov Regiment.
The Azov Regiment was originally formed in 2014 as a volunteer battalion during the conflict in eastern Ukraine. It was later integrated into Ukraine’s National Guard, transitioning into an official military unit. While the regiment once had connections to nationalist and far-right elements, its current leadership and members reject extremist ideologies.
Despite this, Russia officially designated the Azov Regiment as a terrorist organization in 2022, using this classification to prosecute captured fighters under its stringent anti-terrorism laws. Moscow has long portrayed Azov members as extremists, a narrative frequently echoed in Russian state media.
Reports from human rights monitors suggest that some of the Ukrainian prisoners may have been subjected to mistreatment and coercion while in Russian custody. Several of the convicted fighters plan to appeal their sentences, with their legal representatives arguing that their confessions were extracted under duress.
This latest development has raised further concerns about the treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russian-held territories. International legal experts warn that Russia's approach to prosecuting captured soldiers could set a dangerous precedent, undermining the established rules of war and the Geneva Conventions.
The sentencing of the Azov fighters has added to the already strained relations between Moscow and Kyiv. Ukrainian officials have vowed to seek justice through international legal mechanisms, while Russia continues to tighten its grip on occupied Ukrainian territories.
As the war rages on, the fate of thousands of Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia remains uncertain. Kyiv has been actively negotiating prisoner exchanges, but cases like these highlight the legal and diplomatic challenges involved. With international pressure mounting, the global community will be closely watching how this situation unfolds and whether further steps will be taken to ensure the rights of Ukrainian prisoners are upheld.