Court Sentences Russian Soldier to Life Imprisonment

• Artem Kulikov received a life sentence for the murder of two civilians.
• The Russian soldier was captured in July 2024.
• During the interrogation, he testified against his commanders.

This is reported by RBC Ukraine, Ukrayinska Pravda.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported on the verdict for 21-year-old Russian soldier Artem Kulikov, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of two civilians in the Kupiansk district of Kharkiv region. Kulikov was captured by Ukrainian forces in July 2024 during a battle in this region.

According to SBU materials, Kulikov served as a shooter in the 23rd Motorized Brigade of the 6th General Army of Russia. He was mobilized in September 2024 with the assignment in Nizhny Novgorod, where he underwent training for robbery and theft.

After a short training in the military camp, he was sent to the eastern front for an attack on Ukrainian positions. During the attempt to capture one of the strongholds in the Kupiansk district, Kulikov and his accomplice captured two local residents, who helped them evacuate from the combat zone.

When the victims did not provide information about the location of Ukrainian forces, Kulikov received orders from his commander, known under the pseudonym "Griff", to kill them. He shot the people at close range, killing them on the spot.

During the interrogation, Kulikov provided testimony against his commanders, who issued orders for the murder of civilians. The court found him guilty based on collected evidence.

This case is part of an investigation related to war crimes, which are being studied by Russian troops on the territory of Ukraine.

Tags: Ukraine/Crime