Under the public prosecution of the Sumy Regional Prosecutor's Office and the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor's Office, the court found 8 men guilty who switched sides and fought against Ukraine. They were sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property for treason, collaboration activities, and participation in armed formations of the aggressor state (part 1, part 2 of Article 111, part 7 of Article 111-1, part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

In particular, a 35-year-old resident of the city of Sukhodilsk in the Luhansk region received a Russian passport in May 2023 and signed a contract to serve in the 30th Motorized Rifle Regiment (Luga, Leningrad region). While serving as a rifle sapper, he directly fought against the Defense Forces of Ukraine. In August 2024, during the Kursk operation, he was captured by Ukrainian defenders.

Another 7 men with similar stories were exposed and convicted by prosecutors in the Donetsk region.

In 2022, two residents of Luhansk region joined the so-called "people's militia of the LPR" and the "Chistyakov Brigade," where they served as BMP operator-guides and snipers.

In 2022, two residents of Luhansk region joined the illegal armed formations of the occupiers — the rifle regiment of the so-called "people's militia of the LPR" and the "Chistyakov Brigade." They served as BMP operator-guides and snipers. 

Two years later, another two residents of Luhansk region joined the "Storm V Lysychansk Cossack" company and a motorized rifle brigade. One of them signed a contract with the enemy while in a Russian correctional colony. 

At the same time, another resident of Donetsk region took the position of a shooter in the tank regiment of the Russian Armed Forces.

In 2025, two shooters — natives of Odesa and Crimea — joined the occupying forces. They fought as part of the motorized rifle and airborne divisions.

The convicted participated in combat operations in Luhansk and Donetsk regions, particularly near Bakhmut, Chasiv Yar, Ukrainian, Berestove, Verkhnokamianske, Zeleny Dolyn, and other settlements. They carried out assault missions, held forward positions, and also performed guard and post duties. They were detained by Ukrainian servicemen in the Bakhmut, Kramatorsk, and Pokrovsk districts.

Pre-trial investigations were conducted by investigators of the Security Service of Ukraine in the Sumy, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions under the procedural guidance of the respective regional prosecutor's offices.