Detention: On May 16, 2014, in Simferopol, Oleksandr Kolchenko was detained by FSB officers. According to him, he was merely near the building where the FSB was surveilling Sentsov. After his arrest, he was interrogated and beaten for several hours but remained silent. For nine months, meetings with Ukrainian consuls were prohibited, citing 'Russian citizenship.' Eventually, even the General Prosecutor's Office of the Russian Federation acknowledged Kolchenko as a Ukrainian citizen in response to a parliamentary inquiry. On May 23, he was transferred to Moscow. Charges: participation in a 'terrorist group,' arson of the 'United Russia' and 'Russian Community of Crimea' offices, preparation to blow up the Lenin monument and the 'Eternal Flame' memorial.

Sentence: On August 25, 2015, the North Caucasus District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Kolchenko to 10 years in prison, two years less than the prosecution demanded. Together with Sentsov, he sang the Ukrainian anthem in the courtroom. He served his sentence in Correctional Colony No. 6 in Kopeysk, Chelyabinsk region. On May 31, 2018, he declared a hunger strike in support of Oleh Sentsov. On September 7, 2019, he returned to Ukraine as part of a large exchange based on the 35-for-35 formula, having spent over 5 years in captivity.

Oleksandr Oleksandrovych Kolchenko was born on November 26, 1989, in Simferopol. He studied tourism management in college while working as a loader at the post office and a printing house, and also participated in archaeological excavations. He enrolled in the correspondence department of the Geography Faculty at Tavrida University. He participated in the student union 'Student Action,' protests by 'Krymtrolleybus' workers, organized memorial events for anti-fascists, and was involved in the fight against the development of Zalisny Park in Simferopol. Among peers, he was known by the nickname 'Tundra.'

After his release, Kolchenko received an apartment in Kyiv from the 'Pinchuk Foundation,' completed his studies at the university's Geography Faculty, and participated in protests against repression in Belarus. Family: wife Nastya, a lawyer by education, engaged in human rights activities. They met when Kolchenko was in the hospital after his release, and she visited him for legal matters. 'Fell in love, got married,' he describes succinctly.

Oleksandr currently serves in the artillery division of the 67th brigade. He was awarded the Order of Courage, 1st class.

Information sourced from open sources: Hromadske, ZMINA, Radio Liberty (Crimea.Realii), Ukrayinska Pravda.

Photo: ZMINA.

Last updated: 03.07.2026.