The human rights group Russia Behind Bars has reported the death of a man convicted of treason

According to the organisation, Roman Sidorkin, a former defence industry employee serving a 23-year sentence, died on 9 January in a prison hospital in Saratov, a report that human rights defenders say has not yet been officially confirmed.

A source cited by Russia Behind Bars reported that in December 2025, Roman Sidorkin, aged 52 and serving his sentence in Balashov Prison, developed symptoms of bronchitis. He was initially treated without hospitalisation and was later diagnosed with pneumonia. On 5 January, Sidorkin was transferred to the Regional Tuberculosis Hospital, where he died several days later. The organisation has submitted formal requests to state authorities to confirm the information.

Roman Sidorkin, a resident of Kursk Region, and his former wife Tatyana Sidorkina were detained in 2022. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) described them as former employees of a defence-industrial enterprise. According to the FSB, they allegedly passed technical documentation and samples of military-purpose products used in the development of weapons and military equipment employed by the Russian Aerospace Forces to Ukrainian intelligence, and were preparing acts of sabotage, including plans to blow up railway tracks in Belgorod and Kursk regions.

In 2023, Roman Sidorkin was sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment, with the first three years to be served in prison and the remainder in a high-security penal colony. Tatyana Sidorkina was sentenced to 13 years in a general-regime colony. Both were convicted of high treason and preparation for sabotage as part of a group. Roman Sidorkin was also found guilty of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

In 2024, Sidorkin received an additional sentence. According to the court, together with Alexander Vorobyov, a former department head at the same enterprise, he allegedly stole military-purpose products for subsequent sale abroad. Both were convicted of large-scale theft. Vorobyov was sentenced to eight years, while Sidorkin received a combined sentence of 23 years’ imprisonment.