On February 20, the Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv found russian serviceman Vladimir Ivanov guilty of executing two unarmed Ukrainian soldiers who were attempting to surrender. He was sentenced to life imprisonment. The court also ordered Ivanov and the russian federation to pay UAH 50 million in moral damages, according to Court Reporter.

What is known about the defendant

Vladimir Ivanov was born in Sevastopol and was living in Ozersk, Chelyabinsk region, at the time of the crime. He signed a contract with the russian armed forces in December 2024, just weeks before the killings. He served in the 40th Separate Marine Brigade and used the call sign “Yary.”

At least four servicemen were involved in the crime. In addition to Ivanov, they included soldiers with the call signs “Belyi,” “Boom,” and “Lebed.” All three were killed later that same day during a Ukrainian airstrike on their position. Two other servicemen, known by the call signs “Surikat” and “Skipper,” were captured along with Ivanov and testified as witnesses in court.

According to the case materials, the shooting was directed by a commander with the call sign “Ryazan,” who gave the order over the radio: “Open fire and leave no one alive.”

Circumstances of the crime

On January 9, 2025, near the village of Guyevo in the Sudzhansky district of russia’s Kursk region, two Ukrainian soldiers left their position to retrieve supplies dropped by drone. A fellow serviceman who remained at the position testified that about 20 minutes later he heard several bursts of machine-gun fire.

“It was not a two-sided battle. They were firing in one direction,” he told the court.

When reinforcements arrived, the bodies of the two Ukrainian soldiers were found lying face down approximately 30–40 meters from the position. Investigators established that there were no gunpowder traces on the victims’ weapons, and no spent shell casings were found nearby. The bodies could not be evacuated due to ongoing hostilities and the risk of mines.

The events were reconstructed largely based on the testimony of the two captured russian servicemen, who were questioned via video link from a detention facility in Cherkasy. According to their statements, “Lebed” stopped the Ukrainian soldiers and asked for a password, which they did not know. Shortly afterward, the radio transmission came through: “Ryazan said to open fire and leave no one alive.” The Ukrainian soldiers had raised their hands to surrender.

During the trial, Ivanov attempted to minimize his role. He stated that he heard gunfire, ran toward the scene, and “joined in,” firing three shots from a Kalashnikov assault rifle. He claimed he had not personally heard the commander’s order.

The verdict

During the pre-trial investigation, Ivanov denied guilt but admitted responsibility at the first court hearing. Despite the plea, the court proceeded to examine all evidence in full.

In his final statement, the defendant asked the court “not to punish him severely.” His defense counsel requested a 12-year prison sentence within the санкції Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, citing the guilty plea and the absence of aggravating circumstances. The prosecution sought life imprisonment, arguing that the execution of prisoners was part of an established practice within the russian armed forces.

The court sided with the prosecution.

Ivanov was sentenced to life imprisonment. The court also partially granted a civil claim filed by the young son of one of the slain Ukrainian soldiers, ordering Ivanov and the russian federation to pay UAH 50 million in joint and several liability for moral damages.