Andrei Kapatsyna
Andrei Kapatsyna, born 1995, Primorsky Krai. Charges: Article 332 part 2.1, Russian Criminal Code (Failure to obey orders during combat operations); “Case of the air traffic controller for disobeying an order”. Sentence (June 29, 2023): 2 years 10 months' imprisonment in an open prison. Status: at large. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, December 30, 2023.
In brief
Primorsky Krai · Vladivostok · Air traffic controllers · Anti-war cases
Sentence
2 years 10 months
imprisonment in an open prison
Upheld August 17, 2023
Charges
- Article 332 part 2.1, Russian Criminal Code — Failure to obey orders during combat operations
Full wording of the charges
The criminal case was initiated after the air traffic controller twice disobeyed orders and refused to go to fight in Ukraine: the first time was in October, on the parade ground in the presence of other mobilised soldiers; the second time was in November, in the office of the unit’s headquarters.
Latest event
May 1, 2025 — imprisonment ends
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners, December 30, 2023
Timeline
· Imprisonment ends
· Persecution ends
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 2 years 10 months
· Persecution begins
Case of the air traffic controller for disobeying an order
Criminal case
Case of the air traffic controller for disobeying an order
Thematic group: Anti-war case
Details and sources
Full summary
He told his lawyers that his employer had initially planned to arrange a deferment for him and other employees as air traffic controllers, but he was later denied it. He pleaded guilty and explained in court that, due to his religious beliefs, he could not take up arms or use them against other people. He was sentenced to two years and ten months in a penal colony. The court justified its decision by stating that the law does not provide for the possibility of replacing military service under mobilisation with alternative civilian service. Kapatsyna was allegedly released in May 2025.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 332 part 2.1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.