Vitalii Panchenko
Vitalii Panchenko, born 1988, Kursk Oblast. Charges: Article 205 part 2, Russian Criminal Code (Terrorist attack (by a group or with serious consequences)); “The case of two servicemen in the Kursk Region”. Sentence (December 12, 2024): 15 years' imprisonment in a strict regime penal colony, of which 3 years are to be served in prison and the remainder in… Status: imprisoned; deprived of liberty since March 17, 2025; place of detention: Prison, Krasnoyarsk Krai. Recognition: Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners — recognised as a political prisoner, July 16, 2025.
In brief
Kursk Oblast · Military personnel · Terrorism cases
Sentence
15 years
imprisonment in a strict regime penal colony, of which 3 years are to be served in prison and the remainder in a penal colony
Upheld March 17, 2025
Charges
- Article 205 part 2, Russian Criminal Code — Terrorist attack (by a group or with serious consequences)
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, in August, together with other servicemen, he illegally invaded the territory of Sudzhanskii District in Kursk Region, with the aim of carrying out terrorist activities and disorganising the work of state and local authorities of the Russian Federation. For several days he took part in attacking, blocking and keeping under armed control the territory of the town of Sudzha, intimidated and frightened the local population, repeatedly fired on Russian servicemen and civilians. Also, together with other Ukrainian servicemen, he took part in the abduction and illegal transfer of 11 Russian conscripts and three unidentified civilians to the territory of the Sumy region of Ukraine. In addition, he stole food from the "Piaterochka" chain store, thereby causing property damage to the owner in the amount of over 6 million rubles.
Latest event
July 16, 2025 — recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
Recognition by rights defenders
- Recognised as a political prisoner — Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners, July 16, 2025
Timeline
· Recognised as a political prisoner
Memorial: Support for Political Prisoners
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 15 years
· Added to the Rosfinmonitoring list of “terrorists and extremists”
· Persecution begins
The case of two servicemen in the Kursk Region
Criminal case
The case of two servicemen in the Kursk Region
- Case number
- 1-244/2024
Other defendants in the case
- Ivan Dmitrakov — Imprisoned, 14 years
Write a letter
Facility: Prison, Krasnoyarsk Krai
Address (in Russian, as written on the envelope)
662606, ул. Горького д. 114 Тюрьма, Красноярский край, г. Минусинск, ФКУ «Тюрьма ГУФСИН России по Красноярскому краю», Панченко Виталий Васильевич, 1988 г.р.
Details and sources
Full summary
Ukrainian serviceman. On August 15, 2024, he was taken prisoner on the territory of Kursk Region. A video was posted on Ramzan Kadyrov's Telegram channel showing him and another serviceman, Ivan Dmitrakov, being interrogated by Apti Alaudinov, former commander of the Akhmat Rosgvardiya detachment and deputy head of the Main Military and Political Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces. Both Ukrainian servicemen have their hands wrapped in duct tape. At the same time, another video was filmed where Panchenko and Dmitrakov bound with duct tape say "Akhmat is a force!", "Allahu Akbar!" and praise Alaudinov. In September 2024, the military directorate of the Investigative Committee reported that Panchenko and Dmitrakov were charged with attempted murder, committing a terrorist act, attempt on the life of a law enforcement officer, and using violence against a representative of the authorities; Panchenko was also named as a suspect in kidnapping (three people were later reported) and looting. On 21 October 2024, it became known that Panchenko and Dmitrakov were placed in custody. In November, the case against the servicemen, which only included the article on committing a terrorist act, was brought to court. On 12 December 2024, Panchenko was sentenced to 15 years in a strict-regime penal colony.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Ukraine
Other people prosecuted under Article 205 part 2, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.