Court Strengthens Sentence for Russian Spy: Forfeiture of Assets Now Added

Appeals Court Imposes Tougher Penalty on Kyiv Region Resident

According to Главком: An appeals court has enhanced the punishment for a woman from the Kyiv region convicted of high treason, adding asset forfeiture to her 15-year prison term. Recruited by Russian intelligence services through Telegram while seeking quick money, she collected and transmitted data on the locations of Ukrainian Armed Forces units and Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) divisions. This information could have been used to prepare missile and drone strikes.

Court Ruling and New Treason Cases

In May 2025, the Boryspil District Court initially sentenced the woman to 15 years in prison. However, prosecutors appealed, arguing the original verdict lacked asset forfeiture. After reviewing the case, the appeals court rejected the defense's arguments and upheld the prosecution's appeal.

“Following the hearing, the appeals court agreed with the prosecutors' position, dismissed the defense's claims, and granted the prosecutor's appeal. The sentence was strengthened: asset forfeiture was added to the 15-year prison term,”

the Prosecutor General's Office reported.

Throughout 2025, the woman carried out tasks to gather intelligence, secretly photographing and filming the positions of Ukrainian military units under the guise of casual walks. “To avoid drawing attention, the woman acted as if she were on ordinary strolls, taking photos and videos of defense facilities. She also received orders to install hidden cameras with live streaming near military sites but failed to do so due to security measures,” prosecutors stated.

Separately, on April 16, the SBU announced the sentencing of a Kyiv resident who also received 15 years in prison with asset forfeiture for espionage on behalf of Russia. The Dniprovsky District Court of Kyiv issued a similar ruling against the woman, who had gathered information on the security systems of Defense Forces administrative buildings in the capital. Meanwhile, on April 1, former commander of the Ochakiv 73rd Marine Center of the Special Operations Forces and mayoral adviser Eduard Shevchenko was found guilty of high treason and sentenced to 15 years in prison with asset forfeiture. The verdict was handed down by a panel of judges at the Zavodsky District Court.

These cases highlight Ukraine’s intensified fight against treason and espionage benefiting Russia, a priority amid the ongoing armed conflict. Harsher penalties, including asset confiscation, may serve as a deterrent for those considering collaboration with the aggressor. The rulings underscore law enforcement’s determination to expose and punish individuals threatening Ukraine’s national security.

In light of recent developments regarding espionage cases, it's crucial to note the increasing severity of penalties for those involved in acts against national security. Similar to the recent sentencing of individuals for arson attacks on critical infrastructure, the legal system is responding firmly to threats posed by espionage. For a closer look at another significant case involving lengthy prison terms for attacks on Ukrainian railways and military assets, see this detailed report.