Arrest: On November 9, 2016, FSB officers detained him in occupied Sevastopol along with Oleksiy Bessarabov and Dmytro Shtyblikov in the so-called 'Ukrainian saboteurs' case. Russian authorities claimed the men were allegedly preparing sabotage at military and civilian facilities in Crimea on orders from Ukrainian intelligence. Volodymyr Dudka categorically denied all accusations and reported that psychological pressure was applied to him after his arrest to coerce a false confession. Ukrainian and international human rights defenders emphasize that the case was fabricated, with evidence obtained through numerous procedural violations.

Sentence: On April 4, 2019, the Sevastopol City Court, controlled by Russia, found Volodymyr Dudka guilty of preparing sabotage and illegal possession of explosives, sentencing him to 14 years in a high-security penal colony. Appeals by the defense were rejected, and the sentence remained in force. The Memorial Human Rights Center recognized Volodymyr Dudka as a political prisoner. After transfer, he was held in Correctional Colony No. 11 in the Stavropol Krai of the Russian Federation.

Volodymyr Mykhailovych Dudka was born on September 30, 1964, in the city of Sumy. He studied at Sumy School No. 8 on Troitska Street (now Oleksandrivska Gymnasium). He graduated in 1982. After school, he worked at the Sumy Frunze NPO.

From 1982, he served in the Armed Forces of the USSR. After completing the 41st Naval School (Mykolaiv), he served in the communication units of the Baltic Fleet. In 1983, he entered and in 1988 graduated from the Faculty of Radio Intelligence of the Kaliningrad Higher Naval School. After graduation, he served in the 112th Brigade of Intelligence Ships of the Black Sea Fleet (Myrnyi settlement on Lake Donuzlav in Crimea) on the SRZK 'Odograph', then 'Ocean'. He participated in combat services of intelligence ships in the Mediterranean and Atlantic. From 1996, he served in the Ukrainian Navy. From 1997 to 2001, he was the commander of the control ship 'Simferopol' of the Ukrainian Navy. He participated in the exercises 'Sea Breeze-96', 'Sea Breeze-97'. He hosted the President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma on board. After 2001, he served in various positions in the operational shift of the Command Post of the Ukrainian Navy Headquarters.

After retiring in 2009, until 2011, he worked in the Sevastopol City State Administration, then as a safety engineer in the mobile unit of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, which carried out demining of the Inkerman adits and battle sites of World War II on the Mekenziev Mountains. After the occupation of Crimea by Russia, he remained in Sevastopol, working in a civilian position at the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations.

According to relatives and colleagues, he was not involved in political activities and had no connection to any sabotage groups. During the investigation, the defense repeatedly claimed that explosives were planted, and the main evidence was obtained in violation of the law.

During his imprisonment, Volodymyr Dudka's health deteriorated. Family and human rights defenders repeatedly reported problems with his cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, and the lack of adequate medical care in detention. His case became one of the first high-profile cases against Ukrainian citizens after the occupation of Crimea, viewed by the international community as politically motivated.

During the trial, Volodymyr Dudka's lawyers repeatedly reported numerous violations of the right to a fair trial. The defense highlighted the inadmissibility of certain evidence, possible pressure during the investigation, and the lack of convincing evidence of any sabotage preparations. Despite this, Russian courts at all levels upheld the conviction. Ukrainian and international human rights organizations consider this case politically motivated and related to the persecution of Ukrainian citizens after the occupation of Crimea.

During his imprisonment, Volodymyr Dudka's health repeatedly raised concerns. According to his family and human rights defenders, he suffers from chronic cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases but does not always receive necessary medical care. Additionally, his transfer to a colony far from Ukraine significantly complicated maintaining contact with his family and receiving parcels.

Volodymyr Dudka's case is documented by the Union of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners, the Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the ZMINA Human Rights Center, the Crimean Human Rights Group, the Media Initiative for Human Rights (MIPL), and other Ukrainian and international human rights organizations. They recognize him as a political prisoner and demand his release.

As of July 9, 2026, Volodymyr Dudka continues to be illegally detained in the Russian Federation. Human rights defenders insist on his release, provision of adequate medical care, and cessation of politically motivated persecution of Ukrainian citizens.

Information used from open sources:Union of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners, Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, ZMINA Human Rights Center, Crimean Human Rights Group, Media Initiative for Human Rights (MIPL), Institute of Naval Forces of NU 'Odessa Maritime Academy'.

Photo: Union of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners.

Date updated: 09.07.2026