**This landmark ruling marks Finland's first conviction for war crimes relating to the Ukraine conflict.**
**Finnish Court Convicts Russian Mercenary for War Crimes in Ukraine**
**Finnish Court Convicts Russian Mercenary for War Crimes in Ukraine**
**Voislav Torden sentenced to life imprisonment for leading attacks on Ukrainian soldiers in 2014.**
The Helsinki District Court made headlines on March 14, 2025, by sentencing Voislav Torden, a Russian mercenary linked to a neo-Nazi militia, to life in prison for his role in war crimes committed during the 2014 invasion of Ukraine. Torden, whose real name is Yan Petrovskiy, was found guilty of leading an ambush that resulted in the murder and mutilation of Ukrainian soldiers.
This historic case is significant as it represents the first in Finland addressing allegations of international war crimes related to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In a ruling backed by a unanimous decision from a panel of three judges, Torden was convicted of multiple counts, including murder and distributing graphic imagery of the attacks. However, he was acquitted of one charge due to lack of evidence regarding his involvement in planning the ambush.
Torden was at the helm of the paramilitary group Rusich, which has been tied to the Russian military and the notorious Wagner Group. U.S. officials have described Rusich as a neo-Nazi militia, noting its active participation in combat alongside Russian-forces in various regions, including Donbas. Sanctions have been imposed on Torden and other Rusich members by the United States and the European Union, highlighting the international response to their activities.
The court's decision aligns with findings from a United Nations-led inquiry in 2022 that reported widespread atrocities committed by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine. This ruling may pave the way for further legal proceedings against individuals accused of war crimes amid the ongoing conflict that has profoundly impacted Ukraine and its people.
This historic case is significant as it represents the first in Finland addressing allegations of international war crimes related to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In a ruling backed by a unanimous decision from a panel of three judges, Torden was convicted of multiple counts, including murder and distributing graphic imagery of the attacks. However, he was acquitted of one charge due to lack of evidence regarding his involvement in planning the ambush.
Torden was at the helm of the paramilitary group Rusich, which has been tied to the Russian military and the notorious Wagner Group. U.S. officials have described Rusich as a neo-Nazi militia, noting its active participation in combat alongside Russian-forces in various regions, including Donbas. Sanctions have been imposed on Torden and other Rusich members by the United States and the European Union, highlighting the international response to their activities.
The court's decision aligns with findings from a United Nations-led inquiry in 2022 that reported widespread atrocities committed by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine. This ruling may pave the way for further legal proceedings against individuals accused of war crimes amid the ongoing conflict that has profoundly impacted Ukraine and its people.
