57-year-old Uzbek recruited by the Russian army sentenced to 3 years in prison

On January 28, the Pop District Criminal Court delivered a verdict against a citizen of Uzbekistan who had served in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and participated in combat operations in Ukraine. QALAMPIR.UZ reviewed the court ruling.

According to the case materials, the 57-year-old man traveled to Russia in August 2022 in search of employment. Although he worked in the construction sector for several months, he was dissatisfied with the harsh working conditions and low income. As a result, in June 2023, he signed a one-year military contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense in hopes of receiving a higher salary and obtaining Russian citizenship.

Under the contract, the defendant was enlisted as a rifleman in military unit No. 02511 of the Russian Armed Forces and received a monthly salary of 210,000 rubles (approximately 33 million soums). In June 2023, he was deployed to Ukraine, where he took part in combat operations in the Kharkiv region. In August 2023, he was wounded in the leg during fighting and underwent treatment at a Russian military hospital.

After completing the contract, he returned to Russia and was awarded the Georgy Zhukov Medal for his combat service. In February 2025, he was granted Russian citizenship.

However, after returning to Uzbekistan in the fall of 2025, law enforcement agencies launched an inquiry into his activities. During the inspection, documents confirming his service in the Russian army, including a military ID, reports, and photographs, were found on his mobile phone.

During the court hearing, the defendant fully admitted his guilt and expressed remorse. He explained that he had made this decision due to difficult financial circumstances, debts, and the need to support his family.

Taking into account his confession, lack of prior convictions, and positive character references, the court found mitigating circumstances. Applying Article 57 of the Criminal Code, which allows for a lighter sentence, the court sentenced him to three years of imprisonment. The sentence is to be served in a general-regime penal colony.

The court also ruled that the phone, medal, and military ID seized as material evidence be returned to the defendant’s family members, while his Russian passport is to be forwarded to the relevant authorities for resolution in accordance with the law.

It is worth noting that earlier reports stated that another citizen of Uzbekistan who attempted to flee the war in Ukraine was sentenced in Russia to seven years and nine months in prison.