Rustamov Stepan Stepanovich

On October 23, 2024, during hostilities in the Kursk region, 27-year-old Ukrainian citizen Stepan Rustamov, a soldier of the 95th Separate Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, was taken prisoner by Russian military personnel. He was accused of committing a terrorist act by a group of persons by prior conspiracy, resulting in grave consequences. According to the Russian investigation, on September 10, 2024, Rustamov, armed with an AK-74, as part of Ukrainian armed forces units, illegally invaded the territory of the Russian Federation. While in the Sudzhansky District of Kursk Oblast, with the aim of destabilizing the activities of government bodies, Rustamov, under threat of using weapons, prevented the evacuation of civilians, repeatedly opened fire on Russian military personnel and local residents, and also participated in the blockade and holding of the village of Pogrebki "under illegal armed control." 11 June 2025, the 2nd Western Military District Court found Stepan Rustamov guilty and sentenced him to 16 years imprisonment, with the first 4 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.