On April 14, 2026, the Snihuriv District Court of Mykolaiv region sentenced a russian serviceman to 10 years in prison for the ill-treatment of civilians in the Snihuriv community in 2022.

Accused

Alikhan Kushkhov (born July 2, 1992) is a citizen of the russian federation and a native of Nalchik (Kabardino-Balkar Republic).

At the time of the crimes, he served as commander of a squad of the 2nd reconnaissance platoon of the 1st reconnaissance company of the 205th Separate Motorized Rifle Cossack Brigade of the russian Armed Forces (military unit 74814, Budyonnovsk, Stavropol region), part of the 49th Combined Arms Army of the Southern Military District. He held the rank of junior sergeant.

He used the call sign “Alikhan”.

He took part in the occupation of the villages of Pavlivka, Vasylivka and Tamaryne in the Snihuriv community of Mykolaiv region in 2022.

Circumstances of the crimes

The investigation and the court identified three separate episodes involving civilian victims.

• Episode one — June 2022 (Pavlivka and Vasylivka)

On June 2, 2022, at about 09:30, russian troops arrived at the homes of two civilian men — one elderly and one middle-aged — who had no connection to the Armed Forces of Ukraine or any other military formations. Both were forced to leave in an unknown direction without explanation.

They were taken to Vasylivka, where they were held in the basement of a private house for about an hour. Afterwards, with Kushkhov’s involvement, they were blindfolded, restrained with plastic ties, and transported by truck to Kherson region. There, other russian servicemen held them in a basement for several days and interrogated them.

One of the men had previously suffered a stroke. After the so-called “filtration,” his health deteriorated, including kidney and nervous system problems caused by being held in cold conditions.

• Episode two — September 2022 (Tamaryne)

On September 5, 2022, at about 14:00, a local woman was stopped by the accused and a group of around 13 armed soldiers. They demanded information about her son, a serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

When she refused, they threatened to execute her and take her to a forest belt, fired assault rifles at her feet, forced her to kneel, and beat her on the back and torso with rifle butts.

She was then taken to a garage, where the abuse continued. In the presence of the accused, who was holding her hand, one of the soldiers threatened her with gang rape, while others supported the threat. The victim perceived it as real.

About an hour later, she was released. Her home was searched and her family interrogated. She was later forced to leave the village. She sustained physical injuries and severe psychological trauma and remains in a state of anxiety.

• Episode three — October 2022 (Vasylivka)

On October 4, 2022, at about 11:00, the accused and other servicemen arrived at the home of a 14-year-old boy. Not finding him, they began searching the village. The boy later approached their vehicle himself.

The accused forced him into a vehicle “for re-education,” took him to a house used by the military, and forced him to clean the premises. During this time, he struck the boy with his hand on the head and with his fist on the torso.

He later took him outside the gate and gave him “five minutes to disappear,” threatening to kill him. The boy was unlawfully detained for about two hours.

Verdict

The court classified Kushkhov’s actions under Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (ill-treatment of civilians) and sentenced him to 10 years in prison.

The case was heard in absentia, as the accused is evading justice.

The criminal proceedings were registered in the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations under No. 12024150000000257 on February 27, 2024.

Kushkhov is also suspected in another case involving torture in Mykolaiv region.