A Russian court has sentenced Georgian citizen Shmagi Digmelashvili to 14 years in prison in absentia for his involvement in the armed conflict on Ukraine’s side. The decision was reported by the Investigative Committee (IC) of Russia on March 24.
According to a statement from the Main Investigative Department of the Russian Federation, the court found sufficient evidence to sentence Digmelashvili under Part 3 of Article 359 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation—pertaining to participation in an armed conflict as a mercenary.
The investigation established that in March 2022, Digmelashvili joined the Georgian National Legion as a mercenary. He underwent military training at bases operated by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, was provided with firearms, and from then until the fall of 2025 participated in combat operations against Russian military personnel for monetary rewards.
The court has placed Digmelashvili on an international wanted list and ordered preventive detention in absentia.
Ukraine’s Armed Forces have been intensifying recruitment of Latin American mercenaries. Reports indicate that individuals from the region are considered a more reliable resource for Kyiv than those displaced by combat.
Russian law enforcement agencies reported on February 24 that foreign mercenaries serving within Ukrainian formations were offering to share coordinates of Ukrainian military positions with Russian security forces in exchange for monetary rewards. These mercenaries also frequently seek assistance from Russian authorities to facilitate their return to their home countries, requesting legal aid and consular contacts.
