Smulko Sergey Vladimirovich (Smulko Sergiy Volodimirovich)

On the morning of 4 October 2024, in the Kursk region, during hostilities, 42-year-old Ukrainian citizen, soldier of the 47th separate mechanised brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Serhiy Smulko, was taken prisoner by Russian servicemen. A criminal case was opened against him for committing a terrorist act by a group of persons by prior conspiracy, resulting in significant damage. According to the Russian investigation, around 11 PM on October 3, 2024, Smulko, armed with an AK-74U assault rifle, as part of a Bradley BMP crew, illegally invaded the territory of the Kursk region. He was heading to the village of Veseloye to pick up the wounded and drop off a new landing party. During the advance, he "intimidated local residents, interfered with their evacuation, and opened fire on Russian military personnel and civilians." Around 23:30, the BMP hit a mine, Smulko was concussed. In the morning of October 4, he was discovered in a forest plantation by Russian servicemen, after which he surrendered. On 3 July 2025, the 2nd Western Military District Court found Sergey Smulko guilty and sentenced him to 13 years imprisonment, with the first 2 years to be served in prison and the remainder in a strict regime penal colony. The verdict was not appealed and entered into legal force.