Popovich Dmitriy Yurevich (Popovich Dmitro Yuriyovich)

In Mariupol, the occupied part of the Donetsk region, no later than April 2022, 27-year-old Ukrainian Azov Battalion grenadier Dmitry Popovich fell into captivity with Russian troops. He was accused of murdering two or more persons committed by an organized group on the grounds of political and ideological hatred, attempted murder, as well as cruel treatment of the civilian population in the occupied territory. According to the Russian investigation, from March 12 to 19, 2022, Popovich was at a combat position equipped in a multi-apartment building on Kazantseva Street in Mariupol. Upon discovering three peaceful civilians walking down the street, he gave the order to eliminate them. As a result of the machine gun fire, two men died on the spot, one managed to escape. On January 26, 2025, the Supreme Court of the Donetsk People's Republic found Dmitry Popovich guilty and sentenced him to 28 years in prison to be served in a strict regime correctional colony. The verdict was not appealed and entered into legal force. No later than March 2025, another criminal case was opened against Popovich: he was accused of participating in a terrorist community and undergoing training for the purpose of carrying out terrorist activities. The reason for the criminal prosecution was service in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine of the nationalist "Azov" battalion, recognized as a terrorist organization in Russia. December 22, 2025, the Southern District Military Court found Dmitry Popovich guilty and sentenced him to 18 years in a strict regime colony. The court sentenced the Ukrainian prisoner of war to a total punishment of 29.5 years in a strict regime colony based on the cumulative sentences.