Former Ukrainian Navy officer who became Russian major general suspected of treason
Ukrainian prosecutors have notified a former Ukrainian Navy officer, who allegedly defected to Russia following its occupation of Crimea in 2014 and later rose to the rank of major general in the Russian army, of suspicion of treason and desertion.
The Specialized Defense Prosecutor's Office for Ukraine's Central Region announced the charges in absentia on October 16.
According to investigators, the suspect was a captain in the Ukrainian Navy in 2014, serving as chief of staff and first deputy commander of a military unit stationed in Crimea.
After Russia occupied the peninsula, he was ordered to relocate with his personnel to Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine. Instead, prosecutors say, he remained in Crimea and voluntarily joined the Russian armed forces.
Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, he allegedly took part in combat operations against Ukraine and held several command positions, including leading motorized rifle regiments and a brigade.
Since May 2025, according to investigators, he has commanded a motorized rifle division within Russia's Northern Group of Forces and holds the rank of major general.
The former officer has been formally dismissed from Ukrainian military service, removed from personnel rolls and placed on a wanted list.
He faces allegations under Article 111 of Ukraine's Criminal Code, covering high treason, and Article 408, covering desertion.
Prosecutors did not publicly identify the suspect in their announcement. The allegations have not been tested in court.
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