A 38-year-old man from Uzbekistan has been sentenced to three years in prison for participating in the military service of a foreign state, specifically for his involvement in the Russian military operation in Ukraine. According to UzNews.uz, the conviction was handed down by the Court of Criminal Cases in Bustan district of Andijan region.
The defendant, identified as S. Kh., was found guilty under Article 154 (1) of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code, which criminalizes mercenary activities.
Fergana News reports that according to case materials, S. Kh. traveled to Russia in April 2025 in search of work. Two months later, he was detained by police for lacking proper documentation. During his detention, he claimed that he was offered to sign documents whose contents he did not understand. It was later revealed that these documents were related to a military contract, part of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine.
After signing the contract, S. Kh. was sent to Donetsk, where he worked unloading food supplies for Russian troops. He was later transferred to Luhansk.
At one point, while attempting to disassemble a combat grenade, S. Kh. sustained an explosive injury, losing his pinky finger and damaging his wrist. He was hospitalized but managed to escape and returned to Uzbekistan. During his time in the Russian army, he received payments totaling 800,000 rubles.
According to Uzbekistan’s State Security Service (SSS), since 2022, the country has initiated 338 criminal cases related to its citizens' involvement in foreign armed conflicts.
This case highlights ongoing concerns over Uzbek citizens joining foreign military forces, especially in conflict zones like Ukraine. The government continues to take strict measures against such activities, with a focus on preventing its citizens from engaging in international conflicts.
