Ferghana Resident Sentenced to Three Years of Restricted Freedom for Mercenary Activity in Russia

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Besharik District Criminal Court of Ferghana region has sentenced 49-year-old L.S. for mercenary activities.

According to case materials, in May 2023 L.S. traveled to Russia for work but, lacking a legal permit, requested to join the Russian Armed Forces, receiving approval. He was assigned to the Ambarovsky military unit and later transferred to the Kamenka unit.

During service, L.S. received monthly payments ranging from 50,000 to 170,000 rubles, additional allowances up to 150,000 rubles, and transfers totaling US$420 and 45,000 rubles in cash. He held the rank of private, was issued military uniforms, and deployed to the combat zone in Luhansk, participating in fire support and combat operations.

He suffered multiple severe and shrapnel injuries, underwent treatment, and returned to the front. L.S. was demobilized on 28 June 2024, due to health reasons and returned to Ferghana in September 2024.

At the trial, the defendant expressed remorse, noting that he is the sole provider for his family, which includes his spouse, a minor child, and a university-enrolled son, and requested leniency.

The court found L.S. guilty under Part 1 of Article 154 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan (“Mercenary Activity”) and sentenced him to three years of restricted freedom.