Sergei Kosolap
Sergei Kosolap, born 1993, Occupied territory of Luhanska oblast. Charges: Article 205.3, Russian Criminal Code (Receiving training for the commission of terrorist crimes); Article 205.4 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Participation in a terrorist community); “Sergei Kosolap's case on participation in the Aidar battalion”. Sentence (April 8, 2025): 18 years' imprisonment in a strict-regime penal colony. Status: imprisoned; deprived of liberty since July 11, 2023; place of detention: Pre-trial detention centre No. 5, Rostov Oblast. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, June 5, 2025.
In brief
Occupied territory of Luhanska oblast, Rostov Oblast · Former military personnel · Terrorism cases
Sentence
18 years
imprisonment in a strict-regime penal colony
Upheld February 4, 2026
Charges
- Article 205.3, Russian Criminal Code — Receiving training for the commission of terrorist crimes
- Article 205.4 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Participation in a terrorist community
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, while in the village of Polovinkino, Starobelsk district, LNR, and being aware of the terrorist nature of the Aidar battalion's activities, he joined the terrorist organisation in the period from September to October 2015, motivated by the prospect of receiving a monthly allowance. During this period, he underwent training aimed at carrying out terrorist activities, including acquiring theoretical knowledge, practical skills and competencies through physical and psychological training sessions, and learning how to handle weapons. In early November 2015, having been supplied with firearms, ammunition, and other necessary equipment, he took part in the activities of the terrorist battalion Aidar. At the end of November 2015, he left the organisation following his dismissal. However, until law enforcement authorities uncovered his involvement in the terrorist organisation on 13 October 2023, he did not inform the authorities about the existence of the organisation or his terrorist training, nor did he make use of the opportunity to be exempted from criminal liability.
Latest event
February 4, 2026 — appeal
The court upheld the verdict.
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners, June 5, 2025
Timeline
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· Imprisonment begins
Pre-trial Detention Centre №5 (SIZO-5) of the Federal Penitentiary Service of the Russian Federation for the Rostov Oblast
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 18 years
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
· Persecution begins
Sergei Kosolap's case on participation in the Aidar battalion
Criminal case
Sergei Kosolap's case on participation in the Aidar battalion
Thematic group: The case of seven former servicemen of the Aidar Battalion
Write a letter
Facility: Pre-trial detention centre No. 5, Rostov Oblast
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
344064, Ростовская область, г. Ростов-на-Дону ул. Тонельная, 4, ФКУ СИЗО-5 ГУФСИН России по Ростовской области, Косолап Сергей Васильевич, 1993 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Ukraine’s Luhansk region. On 11 October 2023, he was detained in the Rostov region, apparently after crossing the border, and was sentenced to 10 days’ administrative arrest for disobeying the lawful orders of police officers (Article 19.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences). On 13 October, he was reportedly charged with participation in the activities of a terrorist organisation due to his alleged involvement in the Aidar battalion, as well as with undergoing training for the purpose of carrying out terrorist activities. He was later remanded in custody as part of the criminal case. On 8 April 2025, Kosolap was sentenced to 18 years in a strict-regime penal colony.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Ukraine
Other people prosecuted under Article 205.3, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.