Sokolov Mikhail Aleksandrovich

In late December 2023, in the Perm Territory, the FSB reported the exposure of an SBU intelligence group consisting of Russian citizens Mikhail Sokolov and Alexey Gashev, both 25 years old. According to the security forces, the organizer of the group's activities was 24-year-old Dmitry Strelkov, who is also suspected of participating in the extremist organization of a right-wing radical nature 'National Socialism/White Power', which is banned in Russia. The investigation believes that in 2019, Dmitry, evading criminal responsibility for previously committed crimes of an extremist nature, left for Ukraine, where he was recruited by the SBU. He was put on the wanted list and arrested in absentia. Later, 'using his circle of acquaintances in Russian nationalist cells,' he involved Sokolov and Gashiev in 'activities in the interests of the Ukrainian special services.'" "Sokolov and Gashiev were sent to a pre-trial detention center for the duration of the investigation. On June 21, 2023, the Central Military District Court found Mikhail Sokolov guilty and sentenced him to 11 years in a strict regime colony, with the first 3 years to be served in prison. On June 30, 2023, the Central Military District Court found Alexei Gashiev guilty and sentenced him to 10 years in a strict regime colony, with the first 3 years to be served in prison. The verdict was not appealed and entered into legal force.