Vitalii Koltsov
Vitalii Koltsov, born 1976, Moscow. Charges: Article 167 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Intentional destruction of or damage to property (motivated by hooliganism, committed using…); Article 318 part 1, Russian Criminal Code (Use of non-dangerous violence against a government official); “Vitalii Koltsov's Molotov cocktail case”. Sentence (September 11, 2025): The remaining prison term was replaced with 2 years and 21 days of community work. Status: imprisoned; deprived of liberty since June 30, 2023.
In brief
Moscow · Moscow · Office workers · Cases related to mass actions
Sentence
2 years
The remaining prison term was replaced with 2 years and 21 days of community work.
First instance, June 14, 2023: 6 years
Charges
- Article 167 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Intentional destruction of or damage to property (motivated by hooliganism, committed using generally dangerous methods, or resulting in serious consequences)
- Article 318 part 1, Russian Criminal Code — Use of non-dangerous violence against a government official
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, he threw at least two Molotov cocktails at the Rosgvardiia bus with an officer inside.
Latest event
October 1, 2025 — imprisonment begins
Timeline
· Imprisonment begins
· Court ruling
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 6 years
· Persecution begins
Vitalii Koltsov's Molotov cocktail case
Criminal case
Vitalii Koltsov's Molotov cocktail case
- Case number
- 2-0044/2023
Write a letter
The address is not listed in the database.
Details and sources
Full summary
Resident of Moscow, father of three children. Detained on 4 May 2022 after throwing two Molotov cocktails at a detention vehicle in central Moscow. Koltsov was accused of damaging property as well as attempting to harm the lives of 12 law enforcement officers, although according to eyewitnesses, there were not that many people inside the detention vehicle at the time of the throwing. Koltsov claimed that he did not want to kill anyone.
On 7 June 2023, a jury found Koltsov guilty only on the property damage count. Despite this, the prosecution demanded that he be sentenced to 19 and a half years in a strict regime colony. On 14 June, the court, while passing sentence, reclassified the charge from attempt on the life of employees to the use of violence against them and sentenced Koltsov to six years in a general regime colony.
On 11 September 2025, at Koltsov's request, the court commuted his remaining term in the colony to community work.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 167 part 2, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.