A Ukrainian court has sentenced Russian soldier Dmitry Kurashov to life imprisonment for the deliberate killing of a Ukrainian prisoner of war. Kurashov, 27, was found guilty of shooting Vitalii Hodniuk, a 41-year-old Ukrainian soldier who had surrendered after being captured in early 2024. According to Ukraine’s national police, evidence, including expert reports, witness accounts, and video footage, proved that Kurashov killed Hodniuk on orders from his commanders, who instructed troops not to take Ukrainian prisoners.
During a trial that began earlier this year, it was revealed that Kurashov’s unit attacked a Ukrainian position in Zaporizhzhia on January 6, 2024. Despite Hodniuk crawling out unarmed with hands raised in surrender, Kurashov shot him multiple times at close range, violating the rules of war. Ukrainian forces later captured Kurashov and his unit. Though he initially pleaded guilty, Kurashov retracted, claiming the shots were fired by a Russian medic who later died. His claim was disputed by other captured members of his unit who testified that only Kurashov was near Hodniuk when the gunfire was heard.
Kurashov did not testify in court, but his lawyer stated that he was remorseful and claimed he had followed orders not to take prisoners. The prosecutor argued that Kurashov showed no remorse during the trial.
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