Voislav Torden receives life imprisonment for war crimes linked to 2014 conflict.
Finnish Court Convicts Russian Mercenary for Ukraine War Crimes
Finnish Court Convicts Russian Mercenary for Ukraine War Crimes
A landmark ruling highlights global accountability for wartime atrocities.
A Finnish court made a significant ruling on March 14, 2025, sentencing Voislav Torden, a commander in a Russian paramilitary organization, to life in prison for his involvement in war crimes during Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine in 2014. This case marks a notable moment in international law, as it is the first instance where a Finnish court has addressed alleged war crimes committed amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, reflecting a growing movement towards holding individuals accountable for such actions.
Voislav Torden, also referred to as Yan Petrovskiy, was convicted for leading an ambush that resulted in the murder and mutilation of Ukrainian soldiers during the early days of the conflict, where Russian-backed forces invaded eastern Ukraine. Despite his not-guilty plea to five war crime charges, a panel of judges unanimously found him guilty on several counts, including ambush leadership and distribution of harmful imagery. However, he was acquitted of charges related to the planning of the ambush due to lack of evidence.
The case against Torden shines a light on the activities of Rusich, the neo-Nazi militia he led, which has been linked to the notorious Wagner Group, a private military company involved in various conflicts alongside Russian military forces. The U.S. government, alongside the European Union, has sanctioned him and other Rusich members for their involvement in violence in Ukraine, specifically noting their participation in battles in the Donbas region in 2015 and more recently near Kharkiv in 2022. This conviction is a critical step towards accountability for war crimes amidst ongoing international discussions concerning the need for justice related to the conflicts in Ukraine.
Voislav Torden, also referred to as Yan Petrovskiy, was convicted for leading an ambush that resulted in the murder and mutilation of Ukrainian soldiers during the early days of the conflict, where Russian-backed forces invaded eastern Ukraine. Despite his not-guilty plea to five war crime charges, a panel of judges unanimously found him guilty on several counts, including ambush leadership and distribution of harmful imagery. However, he was acquitted of charges related to the planning of the ambush due to lack of evidence.
The case against Torden shines a light on the activities of Rusich, the neo-Nazi militia he led, which has been linked to the notorious Wagner Group, a private military company involved in various conflicts alongside Russian military forces. The U.S. government, alongside the European Union, has sanctioned him and other Rusich members for their involvement in violence in Ukraine, specifically noting their participation in battles in the Donbas region in 2015 and more recently near Kharkiv in 2022. This conviction is a critical step towards accountability for war crimes amidst ongoing international discussions concerning the need for justice related to the conflicts in Ukraine.
