Russia's Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don on June 26 sentenced in absentia five foreign nationals to prison terms for joining Ukraine's armed forces fighting against Moscow’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
According to the Russian Prosecutor-General's Office, Briton John Harding, Swedish citizen Mathias Gustafsson, and Croatian national Vjekoslav Prebeg, were sentenced to 23 years in prison each on charges of taking part in training to forcibly seize power, forced change of Russia's constitutional system, and taking part in an armed conflict as mercenaries.
Two other Britons -- Andrew Hill and Dylan Healy -- were sentenced to 3 1/2 years and four years, respectively.
Hill was found guilty of fighting alongside Ukrainian forces against Russian troops in Ukraine, while Healy was convicted of recruiting fighters to the Ukrainian armed forces.
The five men were among those released in prisoner swaps in 2022.
SEE ALSO: Trial Of Journalist Gershkovich Under Way In Russia; U.S. Calls For Immediate ReleaseBritain's Foreign Office condemned the "exploitation" of prisoners of war and civilians for political purposes following the capture of Healy and Hill in 2022.
It was confirmed at the time that another Briton, Paul Ury, who was captured along with Healy and Hill, died in the custody of then Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine's east.
The British government insisted then that as legitimate members of the Ukrainian armed forces, the Britons and other foreigners captured by Russian troops should be treated as prisoners of war under the Geneva Convention.
In early March 2022, shortly after Russia started its full-scale aggression against Ukraine, Kyiv launched a website to recruit foreign volunteers to an "international legion" to fight invading Russian troops.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signed a decree then, introducing visa-free entrance to Ukraine for foreign nationals who intend to join the “international legion.”