Detention: In April 2022, Russian security forces detained Liliya Khvylka after she posted on Instagram about a Russian missile strike on the train station in Kramatorsk. Following her detention, a criminal case was opened against her under the article for allegedly 'spreading fake news about the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation' (Article 207.3 of the Russian Criminal Code). Later, she was also charged with illegal possession of narcotics (Article 228.1 of the Russian Criminal Code), although Liliya claims the marijuana was planted during a search. After her detention, she was under house arrest with an electronic bracelet, but in the fall of 2022, she managed to leave occupied Crimea.

Sentence: On September 22, 2025, an occupation 'court' in Kerch sentenced Liliya Khvylka in absentia to 5 years and 6 months of imprisonment. The sentence was issued for the combined charges of 'spreading fake news about the Russian army' and 'possession of narcotics.' Liliya stated that she does not acknowledge her guilt, considers the case politically motivated, and has filed an appeal.

Khvylka Liliya is a Ukrainian civil activist from Kerch, a transgender woman. Before her gender transition, she was known as Ilya Gantsevsky. Due to systematic persecution of the LGBT community in occupied Crimea, she was forced to hide her gender identity. After the occupation of the peninsula began, she openly supported Ukraine and opposed Russian aggression.

After the start of the full-scale war, Liliya actively expressed her views on social media. The repost of the Ukrainian President's message about the Russian missile strike on the Kramatorsk station became the formal reason for her criminal prosecution. Russian investigators classified her publication as 'spreading false information about the Russian army.' Human rights defenders emphasize that the case is directly related to freedom of speech and persecution for a pro-Ukrainian stance.

After her detention, Liliya was under house arrest with an electronic bracelet. She reported being prohibited from communicating with friends and effectively leading any normal life. In the fall of 2022, she independently removed the electronic bracelet and escaped from occupied Crimea through Russia and Belarus, having only a Ukrainian birth certificate. Volunteers assisted her in leaving.

Liliya has repeatedly emphasized that in occupied Crimea, members of the LGBT community are under constant pressure and forced to hide their identity. She noted that after the occupation, most openly transgender people left Crimea due to fear of persecution. Her case became one of the most well-known examples of persecution for both political reasons and belonging to the LGBT community.

After the in absentia sentence was issued, Liliya reported being in a difficult psychological state but intends to continue legal challenges to the case. She stressed that she does not expect a fair trial in Russian courts but considers it important to use all available legal mechanisms.

As of July 30, 2026, Liliya Khvylka remains outside occupied Crimea. The in absentia sentence of 5 years and 6 months of imprisonment remains valid only from the perspective of the Russian occupation authorities. Ukrainian and international human rights organizations consider her case a politically motivated persecution and a violation of the right to freedom of expression.

Information used from open sources: Crimean Tatar Resource Center, Suspilne Crimea, Detector Media, ZMINA.

Photo: ZMINA.

Date updated: 30.07.2026