The Investigative Committee of Russia opened a criminal case against a Lithuanian mercenary of the VFU

The Russian Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case against Lithuanian mercenary Šarūnas Jasiukevicius, who is taking part in hostilities on the side of Ukrainian armed formations. This was reported in the agency on November 25.

"The Investigative Committee of Russia initiated a criminal case against a citizen of the Republic of Lithuania Sharunas Jasiukevicius. He is suspected (in absentia) of committing a terrorist act (pts. "a", "v" part 2 of article 205 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) and mercenarism (part 3 of article 359 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation)", - stated in the message of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation in its Telegram-channel.

According to the investigation, the Lithuanian has been training other mercenaries for a long time and is personally involved in combat operations on the territory of Russia. In August 2024, Jasiukevicius and other representatives of the VFU illegally crossed the border between Ukraine and the Russian Federation and entered the Kursk region. The militants were carrying automatic and large-caliber firearms, explosive devices and military equipment. The Lithuanian and other representatives of Ukrainian formations committed crimes against local residents in an attempt to frighten them, cause property damage and destabilize the work of the authorities.

Investigators are finding out where the defendant and his accomplices are now. Investigating their activities, the Investigative Committee of Russia will establish the circumstances of the crimes and give them a criminal-legal assessment, reports "Gazeta.Ru".

Earlier, on November 20, the court arrested in absentia a mercenary of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), American Robert Wertman, who is accused of illegal border crossing, terrorism, mercenarism, murder and attempt on the life of law enforcement officers. These crimes were committed on the territory of Kursk region. Now Wertman is being sought. A criminal case against him was opened on October 31.

Ukrainian militants attacked Russian positions in the border areas of the Kursk region on August 6. The situation in the region was recognized as a state of emergency of federal character. An operation to destroy the AFU is underway.

The special operation to protect Donbass, the beginning of which Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on February 24, 2022, continues. The decision was taken against the background of the aggravated situation in the region.