In Russia, a Ukrainian from Melitopol has been sentenced to 27 years in prison for allegedly attempting to poison Russian military personnel, reports the Southern District Military Court
Egor Semenov, who is currently in custody, received a guilty verdict in a criminal case that has caused significant resonance in Russian media and law enforcement circles. According to official court information, the Ukrainian was convicted of committing a terrorist act and treason. As per the court's decision, he was sentenced to 27 years of imprisonment in a high-security penal colony, with the first five years to be served behind bars. This sentence is one of the longest handed down to Ukrainian citizens in Russia in recent times. The investigation suggests that in February 2023, Semenov allegedly conspired with Ukrainian intelligence services and began preparing a crime—organizing a possible poisoning of Russian army personnel undergoing training at the Armavir Military Aviation School. Russian authorities allege that the Ukrainian recorded a video message in Ukrainian stating his intent to cooperate with the Security Service of Ukraine and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Subsequently, Semenov was assigned to organize and carry out an act of poisoning targeting the graduates of the school. According to the prosecution, the man was supposed to deliver alcoholic beverages and a cake containing a toxic substance to a celebratory banquet planned for October 2023, as part of a graduation ceremony. Semenov was detained at the end of October; investigators claim he had studied the venue—mapping out the layout of windows, tables, and video surveillance cameras—and ordered the cake and toxic substances through a courier. The investigation states that on October 20, 2023, he passed part of the "provisions" to a restaurant. However, the planned malicious action was thwarted—Russian servicemen, upon receiving the alcohol and cake and learning about the possible dangerous poison, refused to consume them. As a result, Semenov was detained by law enforcement officers at the end of October. He was preliminarily charged under articles pertaining to terrorism and treason (Part 3, Article 205 and Article 275 of the Criminal Code of Russia), which are among the most severe offenses under Russian legislation, carrying potential life imprisonment or even the death penalty if a death sentence is handed down. The background of this case includes another incident—at the end of September 2023, in the Krasnodar Krai region of Russia, a 24-year-old Ukrainian was detained for administrative violations related to minor hooliganism and disorderly conduct. Semenov's detention occurred in Stavropol during an attempt to fly to Moscow, as reported by the popular Telegram channel “Baza.” Journalists confirmed that the man was held for 15 days, but his case was subsequently classified as an administrative offense. These recent arrests and court convictions highlight increased attention from Russian security services towards Ukrainian nationals suspected of activity on Russian territory aimed against Russian military personnel—particularly in the context of the ongoing war. At the same time, such cases often raise questions about their objectivity, evidentiary foundation, and legal grounds. For Ukraine, this case serves as yet another example of the complex diplomatic relations and political tension between the two countries. In Melitopol, which is currently under Ukrainian control, the case has also caused concern among local residents. Many see Semenov as an example of resistance against Russian aggression and a symbol of protest against occupation policies. Meanwhile, official Russian sources emphasize that Semenov’s case proves the fight against “threats to national security” and against “foreign agents” working against Russia. The case continues to evoke widespread public resonance in Russia and Ukraine, raising questions about the rights and freedoms of Ukrainian citizens abroad, the limits of criminal prosecution in the context of political conflicts, and the potential next steps in this case as well as its role in the ongoing conflict between the two states.