Detention: Oksana Shevchenko was detained by Russian security forces in February 2024 in occupied Crimea, along with Volodymyr Bodnar and Volodymyr Ananyev. The Russian FSB claimed they were allegedly preparing an assassination attempt on the Kremlin-appointed 'head' of occupied Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov. After her detention, Oksana Shevchenko was held in Simferopol Pre-trial Detention Centre No. 2. Ukrainian human rights activists noted a staged video of the detention released by Russian media, which, according to Olga Skrypnyk, head of the Crimean Human Rights Group, may indicate the case was fabricated.

Sentence: In April 2025, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Oksana Shevchenko to 10 years in a general regime colony and a fine of 500,000 rubles. She was found guilty of preparing a terrorist act and illegal handling of explosives. According to Suspilne Crimea, Shevchenko admitted guilt and made a pre-trial cooperation agreement with the investigation.

Oksana Shevchenko is a Ukrainian citizen, born in Zaporizhzhia region on June 7, 1979.

In February 2024, the FSB announced the detention of three individuals: Oksana Shevchenko, Volodymyr Bodnar, and Volodymyr Ananyev. The Russian side accused them of preparing an assassination attempt on Sergey Aksyonov. Criminal cases were initiated against the defendants under Russian law for preparing a terrorist act and illegal possession of explosives. After her detention, Shevchenko was held in Simferopol Pre-trial Detention Centre No. 2.

Human rights activists questioned the circumstances of the detention and the evidence base of the case. Olga Skrypnyk, head of the Crimean Human Rights Group, pointed out that Russian media almost immediately released a video of the detention of the three individuals with their faces uncovered, presenting them as guilty of preparing a terrorist act. In her assessment, such practice violates the presumption of innocence and is typical for politically motivated cases.

In November 2024, an additional charge under Article 205.1 of the Russian Criminal Code — aiding in the preparation of a terrorist act — was added to the initial accusation. In February 2025, the indictment against Shevchenko and Bodnar was approved, and the case was transferred to the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don. They were charged with, among other things, preparing a terrorist act and illegal handling of explosives.

During the trial, Oksana Shevchenko and Volodymyr Bodnar admitted guilt and made pre-trial agreements with the investigation. Meanwhile, the third defendant, Volodymyr Ananyev, did not admit guilt and claimed the charges were fabricated. ZMINA highlights the lack of convincing evidence in the public domain that would allow independent verification of the Russian investigation's version in such cases.

In April 2025, the Southern District Military Court sentenced Oksana Shevchenko to 10 years in a general regime colony and a fine of 500,000 rubles. The human rights project 'Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial' classifies her as a Ukrainian citizen imprisoned for political reasons.

As of September 14, 2026, it is confirmed that Oksana Shevchenko continues to serve her sentence in Russia. No confirmed information about her release or sentence annulment has been found in available sources.

Information used from open sources: ZMINA, Crimean Tatar Resource Center, Suspilne Crimea, Ukrinform, Crimea.Realities, QIRIM media.

Photo: Crimean Tatar Resource Center.

Date updated: 14.09.2026.