Detention: On August 1, 2023, Russian security forces conducted a search at Mykola Onuk's residence in Simferopol, where he lived with his mother. According to criminal case materials, FSB officers received information about his alleged involvement in distributing leaflets in Simferopol featuring an image of a double-headed eagle pierced by a blue and yellow sword, with the inscription 'Crimea is Ukraine.' During the search, Russian investigators claimed to have found a TNT block in Onuk's apartment.

On the same day, Mykola Onuk was detained on administrative charges of disobeying lawful orders from authorities. On August 2, 2023, the occupation court sentenced him to 13 days of administrative arrest. After serving this term, Onuk was not released; he was immediately detained again and faced administrative charges for publicly displaying prohibited symbols and 'discrediting' the Russian Armed Forces.

On August 25, 2023, a criminal case was initiated against Mykola Onuk under Article 222.1, Part 1 of the Russian Criminal Code for illegal possession of an explosive device, and he was taken into custody. On August 30, 2023, another criminal case was opened under the article on vandalism, and later, charges of 'desecration of the state emblem of the Russian Federation' were added. The criminal cases were consolidated.

Sentence: On May 16, 2024, the illegal 'Zheleznodorozhny District Court' of Simferopol sentenced Mykola Onuk to 5 years in a general regime penal colony and a fine of 50,000 Russian rubles.

Mykola Mykolayovych Onuk was born on June 14, 1988. He is a resident of Simferopol, a citizen of Ukraine and Russia, and holds a higher education degree. Onuk has a third-degree disability due to diabetes.

Before his detention, Mykola Onuk lived in Simferopol.

On the night of July 16-17, 2023, leaflets with the inscription 'Crimea is Ukraine' and an image of a double-headed eagle pierced by a blue and yellow sword appeared in various districts of Simferopol. They were found on buildings and objects in the city's central areas. Russian security services launched an investigation and later alleged Mykola Onuk's involvement in distributing the leaflets.

On August 1, 2023, Russian security forces came to the apartment where Onuk lived with his mother. Initially, he was detained on administrative charges of disobeying police officers. The next day, the court sentenced him to 13 days of administrative arrest. After serving this term, Onuk was not released; he was again held accountable under administrative charges related to displaying prohibited symbols and 'discrediting' the Russian army.

On August 25, 2023, a criminal case was initiated against Mykola Onuk under Article 222.1 of the Russian Criminal Code for illegal possession of an explosive device. According to Russian investigators, an item allegedly found during the search of his apartment was later identified as an explosive device by experts.

On August 30, 2023, another criminal case was initiated against Onuk under the article on vandalism. At the end of December, charges of 'desecration of the state emblem of the Russian Federation' were added to the case. In January 2024, he was formally charged under three articles: Article 222.1, Part 1; Article 214, Part 2; and Article 329 of the Russian Criminal Code.

The trial was held behind closed doors. On May 16, 2024, the illegal 'Zheleznodorozhny District Court' of Simferopol found Mykola Onuk guilty and sentenced him to five years in a general regime penal colony and a fine of 50,000 rubles.

As of September 7, 2026, Mykola Onuk is held in IK-2 of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol in Kerch.

Information used from open sources: ZMINA, CrimeaSOS, Suspilne Crimea.

Photo: ZMINA.

Update date: 09/07/2026.