Detention: On October 3, 2024, in occupied Sevastopol, Russian security forces detained Oleksandra Strylets and her mother Viktoria. The detention became known only later, as the Russian side did not publicly disclose the case until the trial concluded. Radio Liberty noted that in 2024, the mother and daughter effectively disappeared from contact, and information about their detention emerged after the verdict was announced. Russian security structures accused Oleksandra Strylets of treason under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code. According to the Russian investigation, in September 2023, she allegedly contacted Ukrainian intelligence representatives and transmitted photographs of Russian military objects via Telegram. The investigation claimed that some photographs were taken by her mother Viktoria, whom Oleksandra allegedly involved in this activity. There is no public confirmation of these claims from the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

Sentence: On August 5, 2025, the Russian-controlled Sevastopol City Court found Oleksandra Strylets guilty of treason and sentenced her to 12 years in a general regime colony. Her mother, Viktoria Strylets, received the same sentence.

The trial was held in a closed session. Human rights defenders noted that information about the accused was hidden on the court's website, and the case of the mother and daughter was effectively considered in a single court session. It took the judges about three hours to deliver the verdict. Human rights defenders consider these circumstances a violation of the right to a public and fair trial.

On January 21, 2026, the Third Court of Appeal of General Jurisdiction in Sochi, Russia, upheld the sentences of Oleksandra and Viktoria Strylets. The defense's appeal was denied.

Oleksandra Strylets is a resident of Sevastopol, a Ukrainian citizen living in occupied Crimea. At the time of the verdict in August 2025, she was 24 years old. She is the daughter of Viktoria Strylets, who also became a figure in the criminal case.

Oleksandra has two minor daughters. The elder daughter is named Solomiya, and the younger one is Lera. At the time of Oleksandra's detention, the elder child was about five years old, and the younger was only a few months old. The children remained under the care of their father.

The younger daughter of Oleksandra was born prematurely and had serious health issues from birth. The child spent a long time in intensive care and required respiratory support. During the trial of her mother, the girl was again in the intensive care unit.

According to Ukrainska Pravda, prior to her arrest, Oleksandra was engaged in raising her children and working. In March 2024, she left her job in Sevastopol and planned to move to Simferopol with her younger daughter.

Her mother Viktoria lived in Sevastopol. After the occupation of Crimea, Viktoria's husband, who was a serviceman, left with his military unit to mainland Ukraine. Viktoria remained in Crimea, partly due to the need to care for her mother and maintain their home. Later, Oleksandra stayed with her mother, who had a serious illness.

According to the Russian prosecution, in September 2023, Oleksandra allegedly transmitted photographs of Russian military facilities to the Ukrainian side via the internet. The Russian side claimed she acted for a reward and involved her mother in the process. These claims represent the prosecution's position; there is no independent confirmation of their accuracy in open sources.

After their detention, Oleksandra and Viktoria remained without public information about their case for a long time. The trial was held in a closed session, preventing a full independent review of the prosecution's evidence. Human rights defenders also noted that the case of the two women was considered extremely quickly.

On August 5, 2025, Oleksandra and Viktoria Strylets were sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment each. The court did not agree to postpone Oleksandra's sentence due to her younger daughter's health condition and the need for maternal care.

After the appeal upheld the sentence, Oleksandra was transferred from Crimea to Russia. In June 2026, it became known that she was sent to Women's Correctional Colony No. 5 in the town of Kozlovka, Chuvash Republic, Russia, approximately 2,200 kilometers from Sevastopol.

As of September 11, 2026, Oleksandra Strylets continues to serve her sentence in IK No. 5 in Kozlovka. Her husband remains the guardian of their two young children.

Information sourced from open sources: ZMINA, Crimean Tatar Resource Center, Suspilne Crimea, Radio Liberty, Crimea.Realities, Ukrainska Pravda, Representation of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

Photo: Crimean Tatar Resource Center.

Update date: 11.09.2026.