Zhernovskiy Aleksey Sergeevich (Zhernovskiy Oleksiy Sergiyovich)

In occupied Mariupol, Donetsk region, no later than May 2022, Ukrainian citizens, servicemen of military unit 3057 of the Eastern Operational-Territorial Association of the National Guard of Ukraine, the Azov Regiment, fell into captivity of Russian servicemen - 24-year-old junior sergeant Alexey Zhernovsky, 49-year-old senior sergeant Gennady Kharkenko, and 22-year-old senior soldier Igor Kim. Subsequently, criminal charges were brought against the servicemen for cruel treatment of the civilian population and the use of prohibited means and methods in an armed conflict, attempted murder committed by a group of persons, motivated by political and ideological hatred and enmity, and intentional damage to another's property by a dangerous method. According to the Russian investigation, from March 13 to 20, 2022, Kharchenko, who was at a firing position near the Mariupol Mechanical and Metallurgical College during this period, following orders from the command, gave his subordinates, servicemen Kim and Zhernovsky, knowingly illegal orders to fire from the PRAM (L) vz 82 mortar with a caliber of 120 mm at residential buildings and civilian infrastructure objects. As a result of the shots fired, the man sustained a shrapnel wound, civilian buildings were damaged, and private houses were destroyed. On November 14, 2023, the Supreme Court of the Donetsk Republic found the defendants guilty and sentenced Gennady Kharcheko to 25 years, Igor Kim and Alexei Zhernovsky to 24 years in prison each, to be served in a strict regime penal colony. There is no information about appealing the verdict. On October 18, 2024, Gennady Kharkhenko was released during a prisoner exchange. Also, a second criminal case was initiated against junior sergeant Alexey Zhernovsky - for cruel treatment of the civilian population and the use of prohibited means and methods in an armed conflict, and for murder committed by a group of persons, motivated by political and ideological hatred and enmity. According to the Russian investigation, in March 2022, Zhernovsky, while on a combat position equipped in residential building No. 39 on Bauman Street in Mariupol, DNR, discovered an unarmed woman who was not participating in the armed conflict." She turned to the military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for help due to previously received injuries. Nevertheless, Zhernovsky led the woman out onto the veranda, where he fired no fewer than 3 shots at her head, from which the woman died on the spot. On April 12, 2024, the Supreme Court of the Donetsk Republic found Alexey Zhirnovsky guilty and, taking into account the previously imposed punishment, sentenced him to 28 years of imprisonment in a strict regime colony. The verdict was not appealed and entered into legal force.