Uzbek Citizen Jailed for Fighting on Russia’s Side

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A criminal court in Uzbekistan district of Ferghana region has sentenced a 39-year-old citizen for participating in hostilities on Russia’s side against Ukraine.

According to case materials, the man, identified as R.E., traveled to Russia for work in September 2024. He later signed a contract for military service with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and was deployed to a military unit in Donetsk region, where he remained until November 2025.

During the trial, the defendant stated that he had initially worked at a construction site but was later offered a driver’s position by an acquaintance.

He admitted that he signed documents without fully understanding their contents and subsequently found himself serving in the military. In the conflict zone, he was involved in building defensive fortifications and digging trenches.

For his service, R.E. received about 2 million Russian rubles, which he transferred to his wife’s bank card.

After his contract ended in November 2025, he returned to Uzbekistan, where he was detained by law enforcement authorities.

The court found him guilty under Article 154 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan (“Mercenarism”). Taking into account his confession, remorse, lack of prior convictions, and the fact that he is the sole breadwinner for his family, the court sentenced him to three years in a general-regime prison colony.