Semyon Kravchenko is a political prisoner
A Russian citizen who came under Russian shelling in Ukraine and later travelled to Russia from Norway was sentenced to 14 years in a strict-regime penal colony for donations to the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Russian citizen Semyon Kravchenko had lived in Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast since 2008. His daughter was born there in early 2022, and he was there when Russia launched its full-scale invasion. On 24 February 2022, Kravchenko tried to leave the settlement of Esman in Sumy Oblast but was wounded by Russian troops. Until May, he sheltered from shelling in basements before managing to leave for Slovakia, where his daughter and her mother had taken refuge. In 2024, they moved to Norway.
In November 2024, Kravchenko decided to travel to Sevastopol, where his mother and sisters live. He was detained at the border while attempting to enter Russia from Norway.
Kravchenko was charged with high treason (Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code) and financing terrorism (Part 1.1, Article 205.1 of the Russian Criminal Code) over donations totalling about 5,600 roubles in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including the Azov Battalion. In court, Kravchenko pleaded not guilty, explaining in detail that the transfers had been made by his friends, who had access to his bank account.
Kravchenko also testified that FSB officers forced him to confess immediately after his detention. He said they beat him and then deceived him by claiming that the transfers would result only in a fine. For three days, they fabricated the criminal case while holding him by force in the town of Nikel in Murmansk Oblast. In court, the security officers claimed that he had remained there voluntarily.
On 5 August 2025, Semyon Kravchenko was sentenced to 14 years in a strict-regime penal colony.
We emphasise that a confession obtained through torture or threats cannot serve as the basis for a conviction. Even if Kravchenko had personally made donations to the Armed Forces of Ukraine or the Azov unit, his actions would not constitute a crime. Support for the AFU does not threaten Russia’s security, as required for a conviction under the high treason article, and Russia’s designation of Azov as a terrorist organisation is unlawful.
The alleged transfers amounted to only a small sum. Even if his actions had posed any danger to society, such a severe sentence would be grossly disproportionate.
Kravchenko’s case demonstrates the serious risks of travelling to Russia for people who oppose the war or have any connection to Ukraine.
A detailed description of Semyon Kravchenko’s case and of our position is available on our website.
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