The Case of the Five Disagreers

Five young men — Anton Khripko, Sergey Korkhov, Ilya Korkach, Ivan Silin, and a minor Andrey (name changed) — were convicted on 28.07.2025 by the 2nd Western District Military Court on “terrorism” charges. According to the defense and families, key episodes were instigated by FSB informants; the defendants did not plead guilty.

Case Summary

• 2021. An FSB informant “A” infiltrates Sergey Korkhov’s circle posing as a special forces veteran and pushes for introductions to Anton Khripko, Ilya Korkach, Ivan Silin, and the minor Andrey.
• Provocations & recordings. “A” repeatedly steers conversations to “terrorist” topics (seeking sponsors, discussing possible attacks, criticizing the authorities) and records them using covert audio/video equipment issued to him.
• Abandoned building episode. At “A”’s initiative, the group throws Molotov cocktails at a standalone abandoned building (with no one around); the informant films the scene.
• “Weapons training”. “A” shows a pistol (described as a “trophy” from Ukraine) and offers to teach handling techniques. Several meetups follow using air pistols — after which they are charged under Art. 205.3 of the Russian Criminal Code (“undergoing training for the purpose of terrorist activity”).
• Late 2022. Most of the group cut off contact with “A”.
• July 2022 — May 2023. While serving in the army, Sergey is approached by new provocateurs posing as fellow soldiers; they initiate recorded discussions and hand over “extremist literature”. In court, they state they acted under FSB instructions.
• 08.05.2023. After months of pressure, “A” drives Anton Khripko to a military unit in Balashikha “to torch vehicles carrying medical oxygen”; Khripko is arrested on the spot. The others are then detained as a supposed “terrorist community” — even though they had barely been in touch for ~six months.
• Investigative pressure. According to the defense, psychological and physical pressure was used during interrogations, and relatives were intimidated. The defendants did not plead guilty.

Defendants & Charges

Anton Khripko (15.08.2003)
Articles: Part 1 Art. 205.4; Part 4 Art. 205.1; Part 1 Art. 30 subparas. (a), (v) of Part 2 Art. 205 of the RF Criminal Code.

Sergey Korkhov (05.06.2002)
Articles: Part 2 Art. 205.4; Art. 205.3 of the RF Criminal Code.

Ilya Korkach (02.08.2002)
Articles: Part 2 Art. 205.4; Art. 205.3 of the RF Criminal Code.

Ivan Silin (02.01.2003)
Articles: Part 2 Art. 205.4; Art. 205.3 of the RF Criminal Code.

Andrey (name changed, 2007)
Articles: Part 2 Art. 205.4; Art. 205.3 of the RF Criminal Code.

Sentencing — 28.07.2025

• Anton Khripko — 19 years (strict-regime colony), with the first 4 years in prison.
• Sergey Korkhov — 16 years (strict-regime colony), with the first 3 years in prison.
• Ilya Korkach — 16 years (strict-regime colony), with the first 3 years in prison.
• Ivan Silin — 16 years (strict-regime colony), with the first 3 years in prison.
• Andrey — 4 years in a juvenile correctional colony.

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Addresses for Letters

Please include the recipient’s full name and your return address. Details for the minor Andrey are withheld at the family’s request.

• Anton Khripko — interests: history, philosophy, sports
  SIZO-1, 107996, г. Москва, ул. Матросская Тишина, д. 18
• Sergey Korkhov — interests: philosophy, psychology, sports, programming
  SIZO-4, 127081, г. Москва, ул. Вилюйская, д. 4
• Ilya Korkach — interests: history, sports, philosophy
  SIZO-1, 107996, г. Москва, ул. Матросская Тишина, д. 18
• Ivan Silin — interests: history, sports, psychology
  SIZO-1, 107996, г. Москва, ул. Матросская Тишина, д. 18