Court sentences two residents to 15 years in prison for railway sabotage
A court in Odesa Region has sentenced a mother of three and her acquaintance to 15 years in prison each for setting fire to three Ukrzaliznytsia facilities in early 2025. The defendants were found guilty of committing sabotage under martial law. This was reported by Ukrinform, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
Dobroslav District Court of Odesa Region has issued a strict verdict against two local residents who destroyed the infrastructure of the state railway operator. According to the case file, a previously convicted man undertook criminal tasks via the internet for financial remuneration from an anonymous client.
The first episode of sabotage was recorded in early January 2025, when the convicted man burned down a relay cabinet of a signal installation. The perpetrator recorded his actions on a digital device and sent them to the handler for reporting, after which he received the promised payment.
Arson of a battery cabinet
A few weeks later, the offender carried out a second attack on a critical infrastructure facility by burning a backup power supply battery cabinet of an incoming traffic light. However, for this crime, he received an incomplete amount due to the poor quality of the video report provided to his curator.
To carry out the next arson attack, the man enlisted the help of his acquaintance, a mother of three young children who was on maternity leave. They committed a joint sabotage operation on another relay cabinet in early February.
Court proceedings and verdict
During the court session, the woman partially denied her guilt, claiming she only accompanied the man on a walk and had no prior knowledge of his intentions to commit a crime. The court regarded such statements as an attempt to deny responsibility for the committed acts.
At the same time, the man fully admitted his guilt in the arson of the three Ukrzaliznytsia facilities. Both defendants were charged under the article regarding sabotage committed under martial law conditions.
The court handed down a final decision sentencing each of the accused to 15 years behind bars. In addition to the lengthy imprisonment, mandatory confiscation of all their property was also ordered.
Photo: Ukrinform
Read also: Kharkiv resident sentenced to 15 years in prison for setting fire to Ukrzaliznytsia relay cabinets
