Samarkand resident sentenced for participating in war in Ukraine

A 25-year-old man from Samarkand who took part in the war in Ukraine on Russia’s side has been sentenced to five years of restricted freedom, according to court documents reviewed by QALAMPIR.UZ.

According to the documents, the individual, identified as G.F., traveled to Moscow in June 2021 for employment. While in Russia, he was convicted of a drug-related offense and sentenced to seven years in prison, serving his term in a high-security colony in the Chelyabinsk region.

During his imprisonment, G.F. signed a contract on July 22, 2025, to join the Russian Armed Forces, seeking early release, Russian citizenship, and financial benefits. He underwent 28–30 days of military training at a training ground in Luhansk before taking part in combat operations against Ukraine in the region. He was later wounded in the leg and fled back to Uzbekistan after receiving treatment at a military hospital.

The case was heard on March 25 this year at the Jomboy District Criminal Court. During the hearing, the defendant admitted the charges, expressed remorse, and requested leniency.

The court found G.F. guilty under Article 154 (mercenarism), Part 1 of the Criminal Code and sentenced him to five years of restricted freedom. He is required to serve the sentence at his place of residence and is prohibited from leaving his home except for necessary travel to and from work.

Earlier, another Uzbek citizen who had joined the Russian army and participated in the war in Ukraine was sentenced to three years and six months of restricted freedom.