A former fighter from the Wagner mercenary group, who was recruited from prison to fight in Ukraine, was sentenced to 17 years in prison on February 28 after a court in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk found him guilty of sexually assaulting two schoolgirls last year. Sergei Shakhmatov, who had spent a total of 15 years in prison for fraud and theft, was granted clemency in return for taking part in Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The number of crimes in Russia committed by former Wagner recruits and other former military personnel has been on the rise since early 2023. To read the original story by RFE/RL's North.Realities, click here.
Former Wagner Fighter Recruited From Russian Prison Gets 17 Years For Sexual Assault
Sergei Shakhmatov (right), who had spent a total of 15 years in prison for fraud and theft, was granted clemency in return for taking part in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.