Oleksii Savchenko is a Ukrainian citizen and a serviceman of the Azov Special Operations Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, holding the rank of sergeant. He was captured in Mariupol in May 2022.
In March 2026, Savchenko's case was transferred to the Southern District Military Court. On 10 April 2026, Judge Igor Degtyaryov found Savchenko guilty under Part 2 of Article 205.4 of the Russian Criminal Code ('Participation in a terrorist community') and Article 205.3 ('Training for the purpose of carrying out terrorist activities') and sentenced him to 18 years' imprisonment in a maximum-security penal colony.
According to the prosecution, 'in winter 2021, Savchenko voluntarily joined the Azov Regiment, where he underwent training for the purpose of carrying out terrorist activities. After that, as a tank gunner, he participated in the armed conflict.'
