Uzbek Student Faces Deportation or Military Service for Fighting in Ukraine
A Young Man from Fergana Sentenced for Serving in Russian Army in Ukraine
A 22-year-old man from Fergana, identified as A.X., has been sentenced after being found guilty of participating in military operations in Luhansk and Donetsk as part of the Russian army. The case, which shed light on the young man’s journey from studying in Moscow to joining the armed forces, has sparked discussions and debates in the region.
According to court documents accessed by Kun.uz, A.X., a resident of the Qoshtepa district born in 2002, traveled to Moscow for educational purposes. While studying at a private institution, he found himself detained by police for lacking valid residence documents. Faced with three choices – deportation, criminal charges, or joining the Russian army in exchange for citizenship – he opted for the latter.
Signing a one-year contract with the Russian Armed Forces on August 23, 2023, A.X. received a monthly salary of 350,000–400,000 rubles. After undergoing military training, he was deployed to Luhansk for combat operations from October 13, 2023, until February 2024. Unfortunately, he sustained combat injuries and was treated in a hospital for several months.
In court, A.X. admitted his guilt and shared his experience, revealing that he had joined the army out of necessity to pay for his mother’s cancer treatment and surgery. Despite his voluntary agreement, the court found him guilty under Article 154, Part 1 (mercenary) of the Criminal Code and sentenced him to 5 years of imprisonment. However, the punishment was suspended under Article 72, with a probationary period of 3 years imposed.
Following a brief return to his military unit in Tolyatti, A.X. decided to prematurely terminate his contract and return to Uzbekistan after an altercation with his commander. Expressing regret for his actions in court, he highlighted his initial intentions of supporting his family during a critical time.
The case of A.X. serves as a reminder of the complex choices individuals face in pursuit of financial stability and familial obligations. As discussions continue, the young man’s journey from studying abroad to serving in a foreign military force sheds light on the human stories behind geopolitical conflicts.
