Popovich Vyacheslav Valentinovich (Popovich V'yacheslav Valentinovich)

On May 20, 2023, 47-year-old native of Kherson region Vyacheslav Popovich was allegedly abducted in the occupied Luhansk region. Later it became known that a criminal case had been opened against him for treason, participation in the activities of a terrorist organization, and training for the purpose of carrying out terrorist activities. According to the Russian investigation, in October 2023, Popovich arrived in Ukrainian territory and joined the ranks of the "Aidar" assault battalion of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He received training at a training center in the territory of the Kirovograd region of Ukraine in the tactics of close combat and handling weapons. In the battalion, he performed the duties of a grenade launcher of an assault company, taking part in hostilities on the territory of the Lugansk and Donetsk People's Republics. On August 22, 2025, the Southern District Military Court found Vyacheslav Popovich guilty and sentenced him to 27 years in a strict regime penal colony, with the first 5 years to be served in prison.