Viktor Svetlichnyi
Viktor Svetlichnyi, Karelia. Charges: Article 338, Russian Criminal Code (Desertion); “Viktor Svetlichnii's case”. Sentence (March 26, 2025): 7 years' imprisonment in a strict regime penal colony. Status: imprisoned; deprived of liberty since June 4, 2025.
In brief
Karelia · Military personnel · Anti-war cases
Sentence
7 years
imprisonment in a strict regime penal colony
Upheld June 4, 2025
Charges
- Article 338, Russian Criminal Code — Desertion.
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, he "was burdened by his military duties and intended to completely avoid fulfilling them."
Latest event
June 4, 2025 — appeal
The court upheld the verdict.
Timeline
· Appeal ruling
upheld
· Imprisonment begins
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 7 years
· Persecution begins
Viktor Svetlichnii's case
Criminal case
Viktor Svetlichnii's case
Thematic group: Anti-war case
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Details and sources
Full summary
A resident of Donetsk region, Ukraine. In 2022, he was mobilised into the People's Militia of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, and after the official annexation of the occupied Ukrainian territories to the Russian Federation, he was automatically incorporated into the Russian Armed Forces. In March 2023, after being discharged, he left for Karelia in an attempt toto escape. In October 2023, he was detained and charged with unauthorised abandonment of the unit. Later the charge was reclassified to desertion. Svetlichnyi claimed that he did not want to fight against his own people. On 26 March 2025, he was sentenced to seven years in a strict regime colony.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia, Ukraine
Other people prosecuted under Article 338, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.