Arrest: On October 1, 2020, officers of the Russian Federation's FSB conducted mass searches in the homes of believers of the religious organization 'Jehovah's Witnesses' in occupied Sevastopol. On the same day, Volodymyr Maladyka was detained. Russian authorities initiated a criminal case against him, accusing him of 'organizing the activities of an extremist organization' due to his affiliation with the Jehovah's Witnesses community.

Sentence: On October 6, 2022, the Russian-controlled Nakhimovsky District Court of Sevastopol sentenced Volodymyr Maladyka to 6 years in a general regime colony. He was also banned from engaging in educational activities, speaking in the media, and publishing materials online for 7 years. Additionally, a 1-year restriction of freedom was imposed after his release. In October 2023, the appellate court upheld the sentence.

Volodymyr Ivanovych Maladyka is one of the Crimean political prisoners persecuted by the Russian Federation on the occupied peninsula for religious beliefs. His case is part of a broader campaign against Jehovah's Witnesses, which the Russian Supreme Court declared 'extremist' in 2017. After Crimea's occupation, this ban was unlawfully extended to the peninsula, allowing Russian authorities to criminally prosecute hundreds solely for their faith.

Volodymyr Maladyka was born on July 8, 1963, in Yenakiieve, Donetsk region, to a miner's family. After finishing school, he trained as a cook but later pursued a career in technology. He enrolled in a marine aviation technical school, specializing in 'Technical Operation of Aircraft and Engines.' After completing his studies, he served as a technician in the village of Kacha near Sevastopol, where he spent much of his life.

In 1986, Volodymyr married Natalia. The couple lived together for decades. In the early 1990s, the family faced social and economic challenges. During this time, Volodymyr became deeply interested in the Bible. After extensive study, he and his family joined the Jehovah's Witnesses. Faith became a significant part of his life, with no evidence of calls to violence or other illegal activities by Maladyka.

The persecution began on October 1, 2020, when the FSB conducted a series of searches in the homes of Sevastopol believers. Along with Volodymyr Maladyka, Yevhen Zhukov and Volodymyr Sakada were implicated. All three were accused of organizing the activities of an 'extremist organization.' The charges were based on video recordings of four worship services secretly recorded by undercover FSB agents. The evidence consisted of peaceful religious gatherings and interactions among believers.

During the search of Maladyka's home, FSB officers seized a bag of powdered milk, suspecting it might be drugs. This incident highlighted the investigation's quality. Later, an examination confirmed the substance was ordinary powdered milk, unrelated to any prohibited substances. Despite this, the criminal prosecution continued.

After his arrest, Maladyka spent about six months in a pre-trial detention center. In late March 2021, his preventive measure was changed to house arrest. He remained under various forms of freedom restriction until the verdict. In April 2021, the case was transferred to court. Human rights defenders emphasized that the charges lacked any evidence of extremist activity, focusing solely on religious practice.

During the trial, the prosecution failed to present evidence of violent actions or incitement to hatred. Moreover, as noted by human rights defenders, an FSB officer admitted in court the absence of extremism in Maladyka's and others' actions. However, this did not affect the case outcome.

In December 2023, it was reported that Volodymyr Maladyka was transferred outside Crimea to the Russian Federation. By the end of 2023, he was moved to Correctional Colony No. 3 in Tambov region.

As of 2026, Volodymyr Maladyka remains imprisoned. After the release of his co-defendant Yevhen Zhukov in June 2026, Maladyka and Volodymyr Sakada remain behind bars.

Information used from open sources: Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Union of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners, CrimeaSOS, ZMINA, Suspilne Crimea, Crimean Human Rights Group.

Photo: Union of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners.

Update date: 21.07.2026.