Russian jailed for 15 years over Ukraine donation
A Russian man has been sentenced to 15 years for treason by a Moscow court after he donated $500 to a Ukrainian charity.
The Moscow City Court said the donation was made on 27 February 2022, just three days after the invasion began, according to the independent publication zona.media.
Forty-four-year-old Sergey Irin made the donation before the introduction of sanctions, when international transfers were still possible. He was arrested two years later by the FSB (Federal Security Service) after returning to Russia from Sri Lanka to visit family. His arrest was reportedly violent, involving beatings and handcuffs, and he was held in a pre-trial detention facility. A video from his arrest shows him answering questions about the donation and his participation in protests.
"What is your opinion of the current government?" he is asked. "Negative," he replies. "Did you take part in any rallies?" "Yes, I did."
The FSB tracks Russians who have transferred money to Ukrainian organisations by monitoring bank statements from Russian banks, foreign banking apps on their phones, cryptocurrency wallets, and private correspondence.
Similar Cases
Artist Tatyana Laletina was sentenced to nine years in prison for a $30 donation, Ksenia Karelina to 12 years for $52, and Evgeny Varaxin to 12 years for 100 Polish zlotys sent via a Polish humanitarian organisation. According to the same source, even donations for humanitarian purposes can be classified as treason.
Since 2022, Russian authorities have equated "going over to the enemy's side" and financial support for Ukraine with treason. In April 2023, the punishment for treason was increased to a maximum of life in prison.
FSB raids have been accompanied by the confiscation of phones and other devices used to access social media and correspondence.
Irin, who had an active civic stance, participated in protests in 2011–2012 and in anti-war demonstrations in 2022. He returned to Russia after emigrating, despite the risks, because he wanted to be close to his family and friends.
His trial began on 22 July 2025. During his sentencing on 26 August, Mr Irin held up a sign with an indecent message about President Putin. He refused to stand for the judge, receiving two warnings, and was sentenced to 15 years in a high-security penal colony.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
