The 2nd Eastern District Military Court sentenced Sergey Dudinov, a resident of the Altai Krai, to nine years in prison for attempting to fight on the side of Ukraine, the court's press service reported. He will spend the first three years of his sentence in prison, after which he will be transferred to a high-security colony. In addition to the actual sentence, he was also given one and a half years of restricted freedom.
Dudinov was found guilty of preparing for treason and participating in the activities of a terrorist organization.
According to the investigation, in March of this year, the resident of the Altai Krai contacted representatives of the 'Freedom of Russia' legion* and expressed his desire to fight as part of this organization. A month later, Dudinov packed his things and attempted to leave for Ukraine, but he was detained.
As noted by 'Mediazona'**, in June, the FSB department for the Altai Krai reported the detention of a resident of the region who planned to fight on the side of Ukraine. The press release from the security forces might have referred to Dudinov. According to the FSB report, the man lived in Barnaul, he is 62 years old. The special service claimed that he planned to enter Ukraine via Kazakhstan, taking equipment and a first aid kit with him.
* Recognized as a 'terrorist' organization in Russia.
** Recognized as a 'foreign agent' in Russia.