Asalkhudin Artyom Valerevich

In Ust-Ilimsk, Irkutsk Oblast, a criminal case was opened against 40-year-old local resident Artem Asalkhudin no later than July 2024. He was charged with treason, preparation for sabotage, drug trafficking, publicly justifying terrorism, preparation to participate in the activities of a terrorist organization, and aiding and abetting sabotage.

According to investigators, on September 26 and 27, 2022, Asalkhudin posted comments on the “NEVZOROV” Telegram channel justifying Ruslan Zinin’s shooting at the Ust-Ilimsk military registration and enlistment office. Subsequently, between October 2022 and June 2023, Asalkhudin—an opponent of the “special military operation”—decided to join the “Freedom of Russia” Legion, which is recognized as a terrorist organization. He contacted representatives of the legion, filled out and submitted an application form with his personal information, and then, on instructions from his handler, began operating in Ust-Ilimsk: from June through August 2023, he painted propaganda symbols on the walls of residential buildings, and from June 2023 through June 2024, he prepared to set fire to a relay cabinet on the Ust-Ilimsk–Diabazov, for which he studied video tutorials, conducted reconnaissance of the area, and purchased gasoline. Additionally, no later than June 14, 2024, Asalkhudin grew cannabis at his home for personal use, as a result of which he acquired and possessed 11.006 grams of a narcotic substance.

The court remanded the defendant in custody.

On May 18, 2026, the 2nd Eastern District Military Court found Artem Asalkhudin guilty and, based on the aggregate of his crimes, sentenced him to 18 years of imprisonment, of which he must serve the first 5 years in prison, and the remainder of the sentence in a maximum-security correctional colony, with 1.5 years of restricted freedom.