Uzbek citizen detained over involvement in Ukraine conflict

A 24-year-old citizen of Uzbekistan has been sentenced to three years in prison by the Fergana District Court of Fergana region for taking part in the war in Ukraine on the side of Russia. QALAMPIR.UZ reviewed the court documents.

According to the ruling, the man traveled to Moscow, Russia, on February 3, 2022, for work purposes and began employment as a cleaner at a shopping complex in the Lyubertsy district. During this period, he was arrested by Russian law enforcement for committing a drug-related crime and sentenced to seven years in prison.

While serving his sentence at the IK-5 correctional colony in Yekaterinburg in 2024, the man was offered Russian citizenship and the opportunity to join the Armed Forces. Hoping to secure personal benefits and early release, he accepted the offer and served on the Russian side in the Russia–Ukraine war. He initially underwent training at military sites in the Donetsk region and later performed logistical duties such as delivering supplies to military personnel in a mine. The Uzbek citizen served in the Russian Armed Forces for approximately eight months before deserting his post in August 2025. He returned to Uzbekistan on August 28, 2025.

During the trial, the man fully admitted his guilt. He also confirmed his participation through his activities during military service in Russia and via his presence on social media.

The Fergana District Court found the 2001-born man guilty under Article 154, Part 1 (mercenary activity) of the Criminal Code and sentenced him to three years of imprisonment. The sentence will be served in a general-regime colony, starting from August 28, 2025.

It is worth noting that earlier, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, with support from the Main Intelligence Directorate, announced the names of 481 Uzbek citizens who had been recruited to fight in the Russian Armed Forces against Ukraine and had either been killed or gone missing, as part of the ’’I want to live’’ project.