Finnish Court Sentences Russian National to Life for War Crimes in Ukraine
A Finnish court has sentenced Russian national Yan Petrovsky, also known as Voislav Torden, to life imprisonment for war crimes committed in 2014 during the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Petrovsky, a senior member of the far-right Rusich paramilitary group, was found guilty of four charges, including the killing and mutilation of Ukrainian soldiers. The court also referenced video evidence showing Petrovsky ordering and participating in the execution of a soldier. Although he denied all charges, the court ruled that the evidence was sufficient to convict him.
Petrovsky's trial is the first in Finland related to war crimes in Ukraine, and it highlights the involvement of the Rusich group, which is affiliated with the Russian Wagner mercenary group. The court also dismissed one charge related to an ambush in which 22 Ukrainian soldiers were killed, as the evidence was inconclusive regarding Rusich’s specific responsibility. Despite this, the court ordered Petrovsky to pay compensation to the family of the soldier whose death he was directly responsible for.
Petrovsky, who had been under European Union and U.S. sanctions since 2022, was arrested in 2023 while trying to travel under a false identity. Ukraine had requested his extradition, but Finland rejected it due to concerns over fair trial conditions. Petrovsky plans to appeal his conviction.
