Verdict Against Yuriy Kot
A Kyiv court has sentenced former TV presenter Yuriy Kot in absentia to 15 years in prison for crimes against Ukraine's national security, ordering the confiscation of his property. The Solomyansky District Court found Kot guilty for his support of Russia's full-scale 2022 invasion. The seized assets include land plots, firearms, a car, and financial holdings. This case is part of Ukraine's broader legal efforts to hold collaborators accountable during the ongoing war.
Kot's Career and Actions
Yuriy Kot worked for Ukraine's Inter TV channel from 2007 until 2014, while frequently visiting Russia. During the winter of 2013-2014, he hosted programs on the anti-Maidan side. In July 2014, he moved to Russia, where he continued his career with state propaganda outlets Russia Today and News Front. In 2022, he openly endorsed Russia's aggression against Ukraine. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) notified Kot of suspicion of state treason in August 2022, based on his social media posts.
Kot actively collaborated with Alla Dushkina, who provided him with military-related information. This included details on:
- Ukrainian military checkpoints;
- The number of personnel and equipment on roads leading to Kyiv;
- The duration of curfews;
- The organization of territorial defense patrols.
Dushkina was detained and charged with state treason. In the summer of 2022, she was released from pre-trial detention on bail and left the country; she now resides in Moscow. Yuriy Kot assisted her in leaving Ukraine.
The court's ruling mandates the confiscation of four land plots in the Zhytomyr region, three firearms, a Skoda Octavia Elegance car, and property rights to seven television projects. Additionally, a 59% share in the charter capital of LLC Zolota Fishka and funds in a commercial bank account are to be seized. In 2024, the High Anti-Corruption Court ruled to apply sanctions against Yuriy Kot.
Kot himself has stated that he believes
"preserving the Russian within oneself"is important and has referred to Ukrainians as
"satanists, Nazis, and a cancerous tumor on the body of the Russian people."These statements formed part of the evidence in his case.
The trial and the conclusions reached by the Solomyansky District Court underscore the gravity of crimes against national security, particularly in wartime. The application of sanctions and asset confiscation demonstrates the efforts of Ukrainian law enforcement to combat collaboration and information warfare. This case may serve as a precedent for others involved in supporting aggression against Ukraine and threatening the country's security.