Uzbek Citizen Jailed for Fighting in Russia's War in Ukraine

A 31-year-old Uzbek citizen, identified in court documents only by his initials A. M., from the Kashkadarya region of Uzbekistan, has been sentenced to three years in prison by the Yakkabag District Criminal Court for mercenary activities. He had already lost sight in his left eye.

How He Got There

A. M. traveled to Russia for work in December 2022. While there, he was convicted of drug possession and received a sentence of nine years and six months in a Russian correctional facility.

What happened next is what he told the court.

While serving that sentence, staff at the correctional facility pressured him to join Russia's war against Ukraine. He was placed in solitary confinement multiple times. In August 2025, he signed a one-year military service contract.

He was promised a one-time payment of 1.2 million roubles (~$13,300 USD), a monthly salary of 210,000 roubles (~$2,330 USD), Russian citizenship, and the expungement of his criminal record after completing one year of service.

What Happened at the Front

A. M. was deployed and participated in the fighting. A shrapnel wound cost him the sight in his left eye. After being transferred to a hospital, he left the medical facility and contacted the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Moscow. He was issued a certificate permitting his return and traveled home.

The Trial

At trial, A. M. fully admitted guilt and asked the court for a more lenient sentence. The court found him guilty under Part 1 of Article 154 of Uzbekistan's Criminal Code, the provision covering mercenary activities, and sentenced him to three years in prison.

The Pattern

A. M.'s case is a documented example of Russia recruiting directly from its prison system - using solitary confinement as the mechanism to extract a signature from a man who had no legal standing, no outside support, and no way to refuse without consequences. He was not recruited in a city or through a job advertisement. He was recruited in a cell.

He came back missing an eye and went to prison again.

Source: UZ Daily