Uzbek man sentenced for joining Russian military in Ukraine war

Court documents indicate that in October 2024, K.S. traveled to Russia for work. He claimed to have seen a job advertisement on Telegram offering RUB 150,000 for forest clearing work. After passing a medical examination, he signed what he believed to be a labor contract. However, it later emerged that the contract was for service in the Russian Armed Forces.

In November 2024, K.S. took part in guarding front-line positions in the village of Bolshoye Soldatskoye in Kursk Oblast – an area where active fighting between Russia and Ukraine was taking place. He was reportedly threatened with imprisonment for up to five years by military police if he refused to participate in combat.

In January–February of this year, K.S. was involved in delivering food to positions near the city of Sudzha. After his health deteriorated, he was first sent to a hospital and then to a camp for treatment.

Upon learning that he was to be sent back to the front, K.S. contacted the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Russia. He fled the camp, traveled to Moscow, and was issued a “certificate of return” at the embassy, which allowed him to return to Tashkent.

During the trial, K.S. admitted his wrongdoing and expressed remorse. He stated that he had not intended to break the law and only agreed to the job due to difficult living conditions and his parents’ debts. He also told the court that he is an only child and asked for leniency.

The Zafarobod District Court found him guilty under Article 154, Part 1 (Mercenary) of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code and sentenced him to four years of restricted freedom.