Groundbreaking Trial: Russian Soldier Receives Life Sentence in Ukraine

Fri Nov 07 2025 16:33:57 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a trial that marks a significant moment in international law, a Russian soldier has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a captured Ukrainian soldier, raising questions about the treatment of prisoners of war in ongoing conflicts.

Dmitry Kurashov, a 27-year-old Russian soldier, was sentenced to life in prison by a Ukrainian court for the shooting death of Ukrainian POW Vitalii Hodniuk. This unprecedented trial involved extensive evidence, including video footage and witness testimonies, confirming that Kurashov acted on orders not to take prisoners. His case underlines the serious implications of the ongoing conflict, shedding light on the treatment of prisoners of war and the troubling practices within military operations.

A Ukrainian court has handed down the first jail sentence for life against a Russian soldier accused of killing a Ukrainian prisoner of war.

Dmitry Kurashov, 27, was found guilty of shooting dead Vitalii Hodniuk, a veteran 41-year-old Ukrainian soldier who had surrendered following capture in 2024.

Ukraine's national police stated that expert reports, witness testimony and video footage from the scene confirmed that the Russian soldier deliberately killed the POW on the orders of his commanders, who had instructed troops not to take Ukrainian soldiers captive.

During a trial that lasted several months, the court revealed details of how Kurashov's unit attacked a Ukrainian position in Zaporizhzhia, with evidence showing he shot Hodniuk, who was unarmed and had surrendered.

While Kurashov initially pled guilty, he later recanted, accusing a deceased Russian medic of being responsible for the shooting. However, other captured soldiers from his unit contradicted his claims, stating they witnessed Kurashov shoot Hodniuk after he surrendered.

Kurashov's lawyer highlighted his client's remorse, yet prosecutors emphasized his lack of empathy during the proceedings. This trial emphasizes ongoing issues surrounding the treatment of POWs amid war, drawing attention to the need for accountability.