Russian Taxi Driver Gets 18 Years In Prison For Setting National Guard's Headquarters On Fire

Vladimir Zolotaryov has been give 18 years behind bars.

A Russian court sentenced a taxi driver to 18 years in prison on July 28 for setting the entrance of the National Guard's headquarters in the city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur on fire in June last year. The court described Vladimir Zolotaryov's actions as "preparation for a terrorist act and the assault of a law enforcement officer." Zolotaryov pleaded not guilty, saying his actions were a protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Dozens of arson attacks on military conscription centers and other entities linked to the war have been reported across Russia since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Siberia.Realities, click here.