Yevgeny Bondarenko

A resident of Tula, Bondarenko worked as a machine operator at a design bureau. He was detained on 15 March 2023. Initially, he was charged with undergoing training for the purpose of engaging in terrorist activity. According to the investigation, Bondarenko, along with his friend Nikolai Tarasov and several unidentified individuals, had allegedly been preparing to overthrow the government due to their opposition to the war.

Bondarenko was taken into custody, while Tarasov’s case was later separated into a separate legal proceeding. According to the project Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial, it is believed that Tarasov gave testimony against Bondarenko.

The charges against Bondarenko were later reclassified as attempted treason, attempted participation in the activities of a terrorist organisation, and involvement in such activities. Investigators now allege that he planned to fight alongside the Azov Battalion and attempted to recruit Tarasov to join as well.

On 27 March 2024, Bondarenko was sentenced to 18 years in a strict regime penal colony.