"I accidentally stepped on a mine." Verdict passed on Namangan man who participated in the Russia-Ukraine war
“I accidentally stepped on a mine.” A man from Namangan who participated in the Russia—Ukraine war has been sentenced by a court
A 56-year-old man from Namangan, who participated in the battles within the ranks of the Russian Armed Forces in the Russia—Ukraine war, was sentenced to 4 years of restriction of liberty by a court decision.
According to court documents reviewed by “Daryo”, the man, born in 1970, went to the Vladimir region of Russia in October 2024 in search of work and was engaged in woodworking there. However, over time, he was unable to renew his documents confirming his right to stay in the country. In March 2025, due to the lack of documents, he was detained by the police and held in a detention center for two days.
According to the defendant, he was offered to serve in the Russian army. He was told that if he signed certain documents, he would be released from the detention center.
“A woman told me that if I signed the documents, they would release me. 10 days later, they told me that I had signed a military service contract and would go to fight against Ukraine. When I tried to resist, they made it clear to me that I should not make any extra moves,” Sh.G‘. said in his court testimony.
10 days later, the man went to the pre-conscription training department under the Ministry of Defense of Russia in the city of Vladimir. Then, he and five other people were taken to a military training ground in Crimea.
“I accidentally stepped on a mine”
After that, the man, who was delivered to the military training ground in Crimea, underwent a 10-day training. The Ministry of Defense of Russia transferred 2 million rubles to his card (of which he sent 1.6 million rubles to his spouse). He kept the remaining 400,000 rubles for his personal needs. He was provided with weapons and special equipment, and was tasked with delivering food and water to soldiers in an area close to the battlefield.
On June 24, 2025, at around 05:30, Sh.G‘. stepped on a mine while carrying food to the Russian military. As a result of the explosion, his left leg was severely injured.
“I accidentally stepped on a mine, as a result of which my left leg was severely injured. I administered first aid to myself, stopped the bleeding, and asked for help via radio. Within about an hour, two soldiers arrived and took me away,” Sh.G‘. said in court.
The man, who was treated in hospitals in Lugansk and Rostov, had his left leg amputated below the knee. He then continued his treatment in Volgograd, was granted Group II disability, and was fitted with a prosthesis. He also received 3 million rubles in compensation for his injury. He spent this money on treatment and other personal needs.
On August 11, 2025, Sh.G‘. was discharged from military service. After that, he stayed in the Russian city of Vyazniki and tried to return to Uzbekistan. However, he was not allowed to fly out of Domodedovo Airport. Then he tried to return by bus through Kazakhstan, but was sent back to Russia from there as well. He returned to Uzbekistan on June 23, 2026, on a Vnukovo—Namangan flight.
According to the verdict of the Chust District Criminal Court, Sh.G‘. was found guilty under Article 154, Part 1 (Mercenarism) of the Criminal Code. He was sentenced to a restriction of liberty for a term of 4 years.