Case Against Russian Soldiers Over Ukrainian Ship's Crew Abduction

The investigation, led by the National Police of Ukraine in the Odesa region, revealed that in February 2022, a vice admiral of the Russian Black Sea Fleet ordered the unlawful capture of the 'Sapphire' crew. The vessel was engaged in a humanitarian mission to evacuate injured servicemen from Snake Island, which was under heavy fire from Russian forces.

Despite being unarmed and carrying civilians, including medical staff and clergy, the crew was forcibly detained and subjected to inhumane conditions, lacking adequate food and water. A vice admiral, who was 53 years old at the time, commanded the operation and interacted directly with the captains of two Russian military ships involved in the abduction.

The ship’s crew of 21 was to be interrogated for suspected ties to the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) or the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Following their detention, the crew reported facing brutal treatment and threats of violence.

The vice admiral himself visited Snake Island to oversee the interrogation of the ship's captain. Later, the crew was moved to occupied Crimea, despite their confirmed civilian status.

They were released in March 2022 during a prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia. The Ukrainian authorities conducted thorough investigations, gathering sufficient evidence to charge the three Russian soldiers under Article 438 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code, addressing cruel treatment of civilians and violations of the laws of war.

The charges include, among others, the torture and mistreatment of the 'Sapphire' crew members. The investigation has uncovered over 240,000 documented war crimes since the onset of hostilities.

Prosecutors have determined that any military personnel found guilty of these charges could face a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison. This legal action follows the previous identification and charging of two additional commanders from the Russian fleet in 2025.

Their roles in the same incident further bolster Ukraine's commitment to holding individuals accountable for war crimes committed during the ongoing conflict.