Research brings into question prosecution of foreign fighters in Russia

New Edith Cowan University (ECU) research has questioned the legality of Russia’s decision to label and prosecute foreign fighters that have been enlisted into the Ukrainian International Legion of Territorial Defence (ILTG), as mercenaries.

In June, Russia sentenced, in absentia, five foreign nationals to prison terms of up to 23 years for joining Ukraine’s armed forces fighting against the ongoing invasion. The soldiers, from Sweden, Croatia and the UK, were tried on allegations of “attempting to change the constitutional order of Russia” and “participating in the war as mercenaries”.

The classification of these soldiers as mercenaries is in the spotlight with ECU Associate Professor Shannon Bosch’s most recent research finding that the term ‘mercenary’ should not be applied to these fighters, challenging the legality of Russia’s decision to classify and prosecute these individuals as such.

OTR_APR_ShannonBosch