Verdict for the Russian prisoner of war
The court sentenced Russian prisoner of war Sergey Tuzhilov to life imprisonment for the execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war. Tuzhilov, a 36-year-old soldier with the rank of assault shooter, served in the 69th motorized rifle division of the Russian Federation. During the battles that took place in Vovchansk in 2024, he executed Ukrainian soldiers who had been taken captive.
Sergey Tuzhilov used his service rifle to kill the prisoners. Before mobilization, he had been held accountable for drug crimes and robbery. After the liquidation of the unit he was part of, he was captured by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The court convicted him on several counts of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, including:
- Part 5 of Article 27
- Part 2 of Article 28
- Part 2 of Article 438
These articles pertain to complicity in cruel treatment of prisoners of war, combined with intentional murder. He was also convicted for:
- Part 2 of Article 28
- Part 2 of Article 438
These articles cover war crimes combined with premeditated murder by a group of individuals.
Reaction to the verdict
The sentence handed down to Tuzhilov emphasizes the seriousness of crimes related to the cruel treatment of prisoners of war and demonstrates the determination of Ukrainian justice in combating war crimes.
This verdict is part of a broader trend in Ukraine towards holding accountable those responsible for war crimes committed during the conflict. The Ukrainian authorities are actively working on investigating and prosecuting individuals who have committed crimes against civilians and prisoners of war. This may also have significant implications for the international community, as it underscores the obligations of states to uphold international humanitarian law regarding the protection of prisoners of war and civilians during armed conflicts.