Yuri Massin sentenced Ukrainian defenders to 16 years in prison
The National Police of Ukraine served a notice of suspicion to Russian judge Yuri Massin for issuing an illegal sentence against six Ukrainian prisoners of war. Soldiers from the 25th Separate Assault Battalion were sentenced to 16 years in prison each on fabricated terrorism charges. This was reported by Book of Torturers, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
The Main Investigative Department of the National Police of Ukraine announced charges against the representative of the Russian judicial system on September 21. The official’s actions are classified under the article penalizing violations of the laws and customs of war.
Case details and status of servicemen
Six military personnel belong to the 25th Separate Assault Battalion “Rys” with military unit number A4640. They were captured by the adversary on October 11, 2024, during combat operations in the Kursk region near the settlement of Vesele in the Glushkovsky district.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Third Geneva Convention, they acquired the official status of prisoners of war. Consequently, they hold immunity from criminal prosecution for participating in hostilities.
Russian investigation and court actions
The Investigative Committee of Russia initiated criminal proceedings against the Ukrainians on charges of allegedly committing a terrorist act. In late April 2025, the criminal case was transferred to the 2nd Western District Military Court in Moscow.
The case was assigned to judge Yuri Massin, a native of Maykop in the Republic of Adygea. Prior to this position, he spent ten years working as a judge at the Odintsovo Garrison Military Court.
Verdict and crime qualification
On June 10, 2025, Massin found all six Ukrainian defenders guilty of terrorism. He unlawfully sentenced each of them to a severe punishment of 16 years of imprisonment.
Under the Rome Statute, the intentional deprivation of a prisoner of war or other protected person of the rights of a fair and regular trial constitutes a war crime. The criminal proceeding was entered into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations under No. 12025000000002045 dated July 16, 2025.
Photo: Book of Torturers
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