On June 1, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don announced its verdict against Konstantin Soldatov, a native of Simferopol. A panel of judges, chaired by Alexander Generalov, found the Crimean guilty under charges of preparation for a terrorist act (Part 1, Article 30; Part 1, Article 205 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), possession of explosives (Paragraph “v,” Part 3, Article 222.1 of the Criminal Code), preparation for manufacturing an explosive device (Part 1, Article 30; Part 1, Article 223.1 of the Criminal Code), and high treason (Article 275 of the Criminal Code), sentencing him to 16 years in prison. Of this, Soldatov is to serve 3 years in prison and the remaining 13 years in a high-security penal colony.
Konstantin Soldatov was detained on September 1, 2023. According to law enforcement, he possessed “explosives, initiation devices, and other components intended for the subsequent manufacture of an improvised explosive device.” Allegedly, he had received these items on July 29, taking them from a cache under the instructions of an officer of Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR). It is claimed that Soldatov was supposed to blow up railway tracks. However, it remains unclear why Soldatov did not take any action with the explosives for an entire month.
Without access to the case materials and without knowing Soldatov’s position, we cannot assert the falsity or validity of the investigation’s version. However, we would like to remind readers that in occupied Crimea, Russian law enforcement often plants explosives and weapons on residents who are deemed disloyal to the regime. For instance, one might recall the case of nurse, journalist, and civil activist Iryna Danilovych.
At the same time, following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army, acts of sabotage on railway infrastructure have indeed occurred in Russia. Those involved in sabotage have explained their actions as an attempt to hinder the supply of the Russian army. In response, the FSB has begun detaining people in various regions, branding them as saboteurs.
Konstantin Soldatov is likely being held in Rostov-on-Don’s Detention Center No. 1, like other defendants of the Southern District Military Court. You can write to him.
HOW TO HELP
Address for letters:
344022, г. Ростов-на-Дону, ул. Горького, д. 219, СИЗО-1,
Солдатов Константин Сергеевич 27.06.1978 г.р.
It is possible to send letters through the electronic service «Зонателеком» .
How can I write letters to political prisoners in Russia?
