Ukrainian POW fined for “discrediting” the Russian army in prison. He is serving an 18‑year sentence in Siberia

A verdict by the Octiabrsky District Court of Ulan-Ude, Buryatia, from 25 February, discovered by Mediazona, showed that the prisoner Anton Saikhiev said in the presence of two fellow inmates that the Russian army “attacked Ukraine,” “occupied” its territory, and “killed civilians and fired missiles at social facilities.” Saikhov’s words were confirmed by two convicts who “were not subjected to any pressure to give certain testimony,” the ruling emphasizes. The Ukrainian soldier also did not deny what he said.

This resulted in a 30,000-ruble fine for “discrediting” the Russian army (Article 20.3.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses).

Anton Saikhov, 38, was born in the Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine. He served in the 12th Operational Brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard, which included the Azov detachment.

In May 2022, Saikhov participated in the defense of Mariupol, after which he was taken prisoner by the Russians. The investigation accused him of “participating in a terrorist community” and “training in terrorism.” These are standard charges in cases against Azov servicemen. 

At the end of November 2024, the Ukrainian was sentenced to 18 years in a strict regime colony. Saikhov was sent to serve his sentence in correctional colony No. 8 in Ulan-Ude.

Saikiev is not the first convict to be charged under the article on “discrediting” the army for conversations in the colony. In mid-February, a decision by the Yakutsk City Court was made public: it fined Mark Mazur, who has been serving a 12-year sentence since 2024 for treason, 30,000 rubles. The court ruling states that Mazur “publicly condemned” the war in Ukraine and, in particular, said: “Russia itself started the war, Russian soldiers are occupiers, I hope this lawlessness ends soon.”