Russian sentenced to 14 years in prison for pro-Ukrainian militia membership

A Russian military court has sentenced Artem Sanscharajew, a vocal opponent of Russia's current political regime, to 14 years in prison for his membership in the pro-Ukrainian Legion Freedom of Russia and planning an attack with Molotov cocktails on an electrical control box.

Since the beginning of the invasion in February 2022, Russia has arrested dozens of its citizens for alleged collaboration with Ukraine. In addition, the Russian investigative authority has initiated criminal proceedings against eight minors who attempted to set fire to and sabotage Russia's extensive rail network, which is used for transporting soldiers and military equipment for Russia's offensive in Ukraine.

They were promised money by 'someone in Ukraine.' Meanwhile, five imprisoned Russian opposition figures, including politician Ilya Yashin, former associates of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, co-chair of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning organization Memorial Oleg Orlov, and artist Alexandra Skotchilenko, who protested against Russia's military offensive in Ukraine, have been relocated to unknown locations.

The US is negotiating with Russia for a prisoner exchange to secure the release of US journalist Evan Gershkovich. At least six Russian regime critics, including Ilya Yashin, Liliya Chanyshewa, Sasha Skotchilenko, Xenia Fadeyeva, Oleg Orlov, and Kevin Lick, have been arbitrarily detained and convicted for allegedly discrediting the Russian army.

They have disappeared from their detention facilities without informing their lawyers and relatives. In Russia, the rights of prisoners are often violated during transfers.

This echoes the case of Alexei Navalny, who was also missing for months before being transferred to a penal colony in the Polar region.