Russia sentences man to 13 years for small donations to Ukraine

A Russian court has sentenced a 34-year-old man to 13 years in prison for “high treason” following small financial donations to a Ukrainian organization. According to reports from Mediazona and EFE, the individual made 11 transfers of approximately 100 hryvnias each, totaling roughly 24 dollars.

The defendant, who previously lived in Ukraine, was detained a year ago at an airport in Ekaterinburg while attempting to visit his mother. Despite his legal counsel noting that the man has suffered from epilepsy and has been under medical treatment since age 17, the court did not consider his medical condition as a mitigating factor.

This case is part of a broader trend in Russia where citizens have faced severe prison sentences for providing even symbolic financial support to Ukrainian organizations following the 2022 invasion.