Detention: On June 18, 2022, Russian military abducted Yaroslav Zhuk along with another volunteer, Illia Yenin. After detention, he was held in a basement for over a month and a half without contact with family or a lawyer. In July 2022, the occupation administration released a video of a so-called 'confession' in which Zhuk allegedly admitted involvement in an attempt on the life of Melitopol's occupation education department head, Olena Shapurova. Later, Yaroslav stated that the video was recorded after severe torture with electric shocks and psychological pressure. Human rights defenders consider the case fabricated and emphasize that evidence obtained under torture cannot be admissible.

Sentence: On June 25, 2024, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don found Yaroslav Zhuk guilty of an alleged 'act of international terrorism' and sentenced him to 14 years in prison. According to the sentence, he must serve the first 4 years in prison, with the remainder in a high-security colony. The Russian prosecution demanded 27 years of imprisonment. The defense insisted that Zhuk is a civilian illegally abducted from occupied Ukrainian territory and that all key evidence was obtained under torture. On April 23, 2025, the Russian Military Appeals Court upheld the sentence.

Yaroslav Zhuk was born on August 31, 1990, a Ukrainian volunteer from Melitopol who, after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, helped local residents and supported Ukrainian military forces.

In Melitopol, Zhuk worked as a welder, making equipment for agricultural machinery, and studied jewelry making.

On June 17, 2022, an explosion occurred on the 50th Anniversary of Victory Avenue near the Industrial-Economic College in Melitopol. According to unofficial information, an explosive device detonated near a car passing by the college.

In the stopped car were Melitopol residents Yaroslav Zhuk and his acquaintance Illia Yenin. They were detained, likely by FSB officers in masks and civilian clothes.

On the same day, a search was conducted at Zhuk's house, where his wife and child were present. Relatives reported that one of the operatives conducting the search fired a machine gun into the air. He claimed it was accidental, but there was no bullet hole, leading relatives to conclude it was a planned shot to psychologically pressure Zhuk's wife.

Contact with Zhuk was lost, and his family began searching, but all law enforcement agencies of the occupation authorities responded that they had no information on him. There was also no information about Illia Yenin after the detention.

During his time in the Rostov pre-trial detention centre, Yaroslav repeatedly reported harsh conditions. According to the political prisoner himself, he was beaten, tortured with electric shocks, and forced to incriminate himself. As a result of the torture, he partially lost his hearing and had serious health issues due to a lack of proper medical care.

During the trial, Yaroslav Zhuk detailed the circumstances of his abduction and torture. He stated that after detention, he was held in a basement with his eyes covered, repeatedly beaten, subjected to electric shocks, threatened with harm to his family, and forced to record a 'confession' video. The defense argued that these testimonies were coerced and could not be used as evidence. Despite this, the court refused to appoint an independent investigation into the torture claims. Ukrainian human rights defenders emphasize that Yaroslav Zhuk's case is one of the most documented instances of torture against abducted civilians from the occupied Zaporizhzhia region.

After the sentence became legally binding, Yaroslav Zhuk was transferred to the Russian Federation's Federal Penitentiary Service system. His family repeatedly reported deteriorating health due to the effects of torture and lack of proper medical care. Particular concern is raised over partial hearing loss, chronic pain after electric torture, and psychological consequences of prolonged isolation.

As of July 12, 2026, Yaroslav Zhuk remains unlawfully detained in Russian imprisonment. Ukrainian human rights organizations demand his release, an independent investigation into the torture facts, and provision of adequate medical care.

Information used from open sources: Center for Investigative Journalism, ZMINA, CrimeaSOS, Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Suspilne, Melitopol City Council.

Photo: Association of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners.

Update date: 12.07.2026.