**Uzbek Man Sentenced for Fighting in Ukraine War**
A court in Uzbekistan has sentenced a 39-year-old man to four years and two months of restricted freedom. He was found guilty of participating in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The man traveled to Moscow in April 2023 to find work, but later joined the Russian military after training at a base there. He then fought in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions until December 2023. During his time in combat, he admitted to killing ten Ukrainian soldiers.
The defendant claimed that he was promised a high salary for fighting, but only received two payments before they stopped. He said he joined because of financial hardship.
The court took into account the man’s admission of guilt and his clean record when determining the sentence.
**Uzbekistan’s Position on Ukraine**
Uzbekistan has not officially joined Russia in its war against Ukraine. In fact, at the start of the conflict, Uzbekistan declared that it did not recognize the proxy authorities in Donetsk and Luhansk. However, the country continues to trade with Moscow and maintains close ties with Russian leaders.
**Mercenary Activities Punishable**
In Uzbekistan, taking part in mercenary activities is a serious offense. The law allows for up to 10 years in prison for those found guilty. Another similar case recently resulted in a five-year prison sentence.
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