Courts in Uzbekistan's Andijan and Fergana regions have recently heard cases involving Uzbek citizens who participated in Russia’s military operations in Ukraine. In both instances, the verdicts avoided prison sentences, according to reports from Gazeta.uz.
Case in Fergana Region
The Kushtepa District Court in the Fergana region reviewed the case of a 22-year-old local resident. According to investigative records, the defendant traveled to Moscow in late 2022 to enroll at the private university Synergy. While studying, he worked part-time. However, in the summer of 2023, he was detained by police due to irregularities in his immigration documents. The Uzbek national was given a choice: deportation with potential criminal charges or enlistment in the Russian military, which offered the possibility of obtaining Russian citizenship.
The man chose to sign a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense and underwent training in the Samara region. Initially, he earned 195,000 rubles (around $2,000) per month, a figure that later rose to 350,000 — 400,000 rubles ($4,000), depending on his combat assignments.
Over four months, he participated in active combat. In February 2024, he was injured by a shell explosion and hospitalized in Donetsk. During recovery, he took leave, traveled to Tolyatti, purchased a car, secured a mortgage, obtained Russian citizenship, and was awarded a medal for his participation in the conflict.
In September, he secretly left his military unit to handle paperwork for his car. During this time, his commander called, harshly demanding his return. Feeling unsafe, the man fled Russia. He hired a taxi driver, also a native of Fergana, and traveled through Kazakhstan before crossing the Uzbek border on foot. Upon returning, he voluntarily reported his participation in the military operation to local authorities.
The court found him guilty of mercenary activity and sentenced him to five years in prison. However, mitigating factors, including his financial difficulties and his mother’s illness, led the court to suspend the sentence with a three-year probationary period.
Case in Andijan Region
In Andijan, a 40-year-old resident of the Markhamat district faced trial for joining the Russian military, lured by promises of high wages. The man previously worked for the company Novatek, where a Russian colleague introduced him to the terms of military service.
In July 2023, the Uzbek citizen signed a contract with the Ministry of Defense and completed two months of training. He was deployed to combat zones, including Shakhtarsk and Bakhmut. By his account, he killed more than ten Ukrainian soldiers. His performance earned him a transfer to a reconnaissance unit in Luhansk.
After six months, he returned to Moscow and refused to continue his service. He traveled back to Uzbekistan with his wife and sister, passing through Kazakhstan. Upon arrival in Uzbekistan, he voluntarily approached authorities, admitting to his involvement in the conflict. He disclosed that, despite promises of a 450,000-ruble salary ($4,500), he only received two payments of 150,000 rubles ($1,500) before payments stopped.
The court convicted him of mercenary activity and enlisting in a foreign army. Considering mitigating circumstances—including remorse, financial hardship, and responsibility for three children—the court sentenced him to four years and two months of restricted freedom. During this time, he is prohibited from changing his residence or traveling outside the Andijan region without prior approval from supervisory authorities.
