Russia jails 61-year-old Ukrainian for alleged Azov service, names no specific act
A Russian military court sentenced Hulak to five years and four months over an alleged connection to the Azov group.
A Russian court in Rostov-on-Don has sentenced Ukrainian Andrii Hulak, 61 years old, to five years and four months in a penal colony for alleged service in Ukraine's Azov brigade, Mediazona reported on August 17, 2026. The court did not provide details on when, how, or why Hulak allegedly served in Azov, including the specific role or act he was accused of committing.
Since August 2022, Russia has declared Azov a "terrorist organization" and prosecuted Ukrainians it claims served in or were connected to the brigade. Azov is a Ukrainian National Guard brigade that has become a primary target of Russian propaganda. Hulak's detention date and current location remain unknown. According to Article 205.4 of Russia's Criminal Code, Hulak was charged with participation in a "terrorist group."
Russia added Hulak to its state register of "extremists and terrorists" on October 21, 2025, and lists him as a political prisoner. The human rights group Memorial has identified Hulak as a detained individual.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
