Political Prisoners

Belyalov Mamut

Detention: On September 10, 2022, Russian FSB officers detained Mamut Enverovich Belyalov in temporarily occupied Feodosia. According to family and human rights defenders, after his detention, he was held incommunicado for several days, subjected to severe torture with electric shocks, beatings, and psychological pressure to confess to allegedly preparing sabotage and the murder of a member of the occupation administration. Later, a criminal case was opened against him under several articles of Russian criminal law. Ukrainian human rights organizations stated that the case was fabricated and that confessions obtained under torture cannot be considered evidence. Sentence: On September 12, 2022, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Mamut Belyalov to...

Belyalov Memet

Detention: On October 11, 2017, FSB officers conducted mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in Bakhchisaray. Memet Reshatovich Belyalov, an activist of the civic association 'Crimean Solidarity', was among those detained. Along with him, Timur Ibragimov, Marlen (Suleyman) Asanov, Seyran Saliev, Ernes Ametov, and Server Zekiryaev were also detained. They were all accused of involvement with the Islamic political organization 'Hizb ut-Tahrir', which Russia considers terrorist, although it is not banned in Ukraine. Human rights organizations stated that the case is politically motivated and aimed at suppressing the civic activity of Crimean Tatars. Sentence: On September 16, 2020, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don found Memet Belyalov guilty of allegedly organizing the activities of a terrorist organization and preparing for the violent seizure of power.

Bessarabov Oleksii

Detention: On November 9, 2016, FSB officers in Sevastopol detained Ukrainian journalist, military analyst, and reserve officer of the Ukrainian Navy Oleksii Yuriiovych Bessarabov. Along with him, Volodymyr Dudka and Dmytro Shtyblikov were also detained. Russian special services claimed to have uncovered a 'sabotage-terrorist group' of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, allegedly preparing acts of sabotage in occupied Crimea. Ukrainian authorities, international organizations, and human rights defenders called the case fabricated, and the 'confessions' obtained during the investigation the result of coercion. Sentence: On April 4, 2019, the Russia-controlled Sevastopol City Court found Oleksii Bessarabov guilty under Article 30, Part A, Section 2 of Article 281...

Bibik Tetyana

Detention: The exact date is not available in open sources. Sentence: As of July 17, 2026, there is no information on sentencing in open sources. Tetyana Bibik remains in custody. Her name is included in the lists of Ukrainian citizens unlawfully detained by the Russian Federation for political reasons.

Bilousova Marina

Detention: On May 27, 2025, Russian security forces detained Marina Henrikhivna Bilousova, a resident of Prymorsk, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, living in the temporarily occupied territory. According to the Russian investigation, in January 2024, she allegedly made a monetary transfer to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. A criminal case was initiated against her under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code ('treason'). Human rights defenders emphasize that Russia unlawfully applies its criminal law to Ukrainian citizens residing in occupied territories, and the case is politically motivated. Sentence: In December 2025, an illegally established Russian court in the temporarily occupied territory of Zaporizhzhia Oblast found Marina Bilousova guilty of 'treason' and sentenced her to 12 years and 6 months in a general regime colony.

Bodnarashyk Serhii

Arrest: In October 2024, Russian FSB officers detained Serhii Borysovych Bodnarashyk, a resident of Sevastopol. According to the Russian investigation, from January to October 2023, he allegedly transmitted photographs and information about the locations of Russian military equipment and facilities in Sevastopol to Ukrainian intelligence services. A criminal case was initiated against him under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code ('treason'). Human rights advocates emphasize that the case is politically motivated, occurring under the conditions of Crimea's occupation, where Russian authorities frequently apply the 'treason' charge against Ukrainian citizens. Sentence: On August 22, 2025, the Russian-controlled Sevastopol City Court sentenced Serhii Bodnarashyk to 14 years in a high-security penal colony. In addition to the main sentence, the court imposed 1 year of restricted freedom following release and a fine of 200,000 Russian rubles. As of the latest reports, the sentence has not yet come into full effect due to an appeal.

Bondarashyk Serhii

Detention: In August 2025, the occupation 'law enforcement agencies' of Sevastopol detained 45-year-old local resident Serhii Bondarashyk. He was accused of 'state treason' for allegedly transmitting information and photographs of Russian military equipment locations to Ukrainian intelligence services. Sentence: On August 22, 2025, the occupation Sevastopol City Court sentenced Serhii Bondarashyk to 14 years in a high-security penal colony, 1 year of restricted freedom after release, and a fine of 200,000 Russian rubles. The sentence has not yet come into force, and an appeal is ongoing.

Bondarenko Viktor

Detention: On March 13, 2024, Russian security forces abducted Viktor Mykolayovych Bondarenko, a pastor of an evangelical church and a volunteer from Berdyansk. He was detained on the street while walking his dog. His family did not know his whereabouts for almost three weeks. It was later revealed that he was held in a Melitopol detention facility and later transferred to a pre-trial detention centre in occupied Donetsk. Russian forces accused Bondarenko of allegedly sabotaging a transformer substation, power lines, participating in a 'sabotage-reconnaissance group,' and collaborating with the Azov regiment. Family and human rights defenders claim all charges were fabricated, and 'confessions' were obtained under torture. In April 2022, he was previously abducted along with his son-in-law, held for 13 days, beaten, and tortured, but was released then. Sentence: On December 3, 2024, an illegal court in occupied Donetsk sentenced Viktor Bondarenko to 22 years in a high-security colony and a fine of 1 million Russian rubles. He is to serve the first three years in prison, with the remainder in a high-security colony. The occupation court also confiscated his car. On April 17, 2025, the appellate court upheld the sentence. Subsequently, Viktor was transferred through several Russian pre-trial detention centres and later moved to the notorious 'Vladimir Central' prison. Human rights defenders emphasize that his health significantly deteriorated during the transfer, and he is not receiving necessary medical care.

Brazhnyk Oleksii

Detention: Russian occupiers abducted him on September 21, 2022, directly from his workplace, after which he was held at a police station in Enerhodar. He was subjected to torture and later transferred to the Melitopol pre-trial detention centre. Sentence: As of July 17, 2026, no sentence has been issued. The Russian Federation has not reported transferring the case to court. Oleksii Brazhnyk is unlawfully held as a civilian hostage by Russia. Human rights organizations classify his detention as a violation of international humanitarian law.

Bryukhanov Andriy

Detention: The exact date is not available in open sources. Sentence: As of July 17, 2026, information about the sentence is not available in open sources. Andriy Bryukhanov is one of the Ukrainian citizens prosecuted by the Russian Federation under Article 275 of the Russian Federation Criminal Code ('treason'). Human rights defenders view such cases as tools for politically motivated persecution of Ukrainian citizens in the temporarily occupied territories and in the Russian Federation.

Buryk Vitalii

Detention: On October 9, 2024, Russian security forces detained Vitalii Anatoliiovych Buryk in Kerch during a large-scale wave of searches in the homes of Jehovah's Witnesses. He was detained at his workplace—a boiler room—after which a search was conducted in his apartment where his minor daughter with a disability was present. On the same day, a criminal case was initiated against him under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Russian Criminal Code ('organization of the activities of an extremist organization'). Two days after his detention, the occupation court placed him under house arrest. Human rights defenders emphasize that the sole basis for his persecution was his peaceful religious activity, as Jehovah's Witnesses are legal in Ukraine, and the European Court of Human Rights has deemed the persecution of this community in Russia unlawful. ...

Buyukchan Hatidzhe

Detention: On May 6, 2025, Hatidzhe was abducted and held in an unknown location for over two months. On July 14, 2025, the FSB announced her detention on charges under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code (treason) and Article 205 (preparation of a terrorist act). Sentence: As of July 17, 2026, no sentence has been issued. Hatidzhe Buyukchan remains in custody. The Russian Federation accuses her of 'treason', 'preparation of a terrorist act', and crimes related to the illegal circulation of explosives. Human rights organizations consider the case politically motivated and report gross human rights violations.