Melanchuk Vitaliy Yurevich (Melanchuk Vitaliy Yuriyovich)

On November 17, 2024, in the Kursk region, during hostilities, 53-year-old Ukrainian citizen, soldier of the 17th separate tank brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, soldier Vitaliy Melanchuk, was taken prisoner by Russian military personnel. 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, between September 26 and November 5, 2024, Melanchuk, together with his colleagues, repeatedly illegally crossed the state border of Russia in the Sudzhansky district. He occupied observation and fire positions near the settlement of Leonidovo in the Sudzhansky district and the village of Olgovka in the Korenevsky district, adjusted fire on Russian military personnel and civilian objects, intimidated civilians and prohibited them from evacuating. 30 July 2025, the 2nd Western Military District Court found Vitaly Melanchuk 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.