WORLD NEWS | Captured Ukrainian soldier faces trial in Russia

MOSCOW, June 14 (AP) — More than 20 Ukrainian soldiers captured during fighting in Ukraine went on trial Wednesday in southern Russia.

The captured soldiers were members of the Azov Battalion, an elite unit of the Ukrainian armed forces that fought against Russian forces in the Sea of ​​Azov port of Mariupol. Russia captured Mariupol last year after three months of fighting that left much of the city reduced to smoldering ruins.

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In May 2022, the last remaining Ukrainian defenders hiding in a large steel mill in Mariupol surrendered to Russian troops.

Russian authorities have designated Battalion Azov as a terrorist organization. The defendants face charges of being involved in a terrorist organization and taking part in an operation to overthrow Russian-backed authorities in the Donetsk region.

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If convicted, they face sentences ranging from 15 years to life in prison.

Of the 24 people facing charges, two have been exchanged for Russian prisoners of war as part of a prisoner exchange.

Among the remaining 22 accused facing trial are eight women who reportedly worked as cooks in the Azov camp. (Associated Press)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from a Syndicated News feed, the body of content may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)