The court sentenced in absentia a militant «DNR», who participated in the occupation of his hometown in Mykolaiv region, to 15 years in absentia

Fighters of the Sparta battalion behind a resident of Snihurivka. Photo from social media

A resident of Snihurivka, Mykolaiv region, who has been fighting as part of the «Sparta» reconnaissance battalion under the command of Arsen Pavlov-«Motorola» since 2014, took part in the occupation of his hometown. The court sentenced him to 15 years in absentia.

The relevant verdict was passed by the Snihurivka District Court on 17 March, according to NikVesti.

During the trial, witnesses told about the pro-Russian views of 33-year-old Mykola Slyvka. According to them, back in 2013-2014, he took part in rallies in support of Russia. In 2015, he claimed that he would fight for an illegal armed group in Donetsk.

Indeed, after travelling to Donetsk, Slyvka joined the illegal armed group «Separate Marine Reconnaissance Battalion» in 2017. In May 2022, he was relocated to Snihurivka.

According to witnesses, in April 2022, they saw him armed at a Russian checkpoint near the Employment Centre and at a local market in Snihurivka. They also recognised him in one of the videos where Slyvka campaigned for the illegal armed group «Sparta» together with Arsen Pavlov-«Motorola».

The man was tried under three articles: creation of a terrorist organisation, high treason and collaboration. The court sentenced him to 15 years in prison with confiscation of property.

As a reminder, Mykolaiv law enforcement officers identified another Russian army soldier who abused local residents during the occupation of the Snihurivka community. He is a 35-year-old resident of the Krasnodar Territory, Dmitrii Shuhankov, «whose exploits» are now taught to children in Russia.