Kateryna Korovina is a political prisoner
A Ukrainian has been sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for donating $11 to the Ukrainian military
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Kateryna Korovina a political prisoner. Korovina was convicted on charges of financing the activities of an extremist organisation and terrorism for making several monetary transfers to support the Ukrainian army. We demand the release of Korovina and that all criminal charges against her be dropped.
What were the charges against Kateryna Korovina?
Kateryna Korovina is a resident of Pishchane, a village near Starobilsk in Luhansk Oblast in Russian-occupied Ukraine. On the morning of 19 March 2024, she was detained in the street by men in plain clothes who seized her phone and took her to a police station. There, she was interrogated and pressured to confess to financing the organisation Pravy Sektor. Under threats and pressure, she was forced to sign documents and record a confession on video. She was then released under travel restrictions.
On 10 June 2024, Korovina was publicly re-arrested with a show of force. She was charged with financing terrorism (Article 205.1, Part 1.1, of the Russian Criminal Code), allegedly for sending money to the Azov Brigade, and with providing funds to support an extremist organisation (Article 282.3, Part 1), allegedly for transferring money to Pravy Sektor. Fundraising calls had appeared in Telegram chat groups. The total amount allegedly transferred was 470 hryvnias (around $11). In court, Kateryna Korovina denied the charges.
On 17 February 2025, a military court found her guilty and sentenced her to 10 years’ imprisonment in a general regime penal colony.
Why do we consider Kateryna Korovina a political prisoner?
The investigation and court failed to prove that Kateryna Korovina transferred money to either the Azov Brigade or Pravy Sektor. Analysis of the fundraising appeals made in Telegram chats and the donations Korovina made at that time shows that the donations were not related to the Azov Brigade or Pravy Sektor. The money raised was used to purchase vehicles and heaters for other Ukrainian military units, and the donations were made to private individuals’ bank cards.
However, even if Korovina had in fact transferred money to support the named units, this should not be grounds for criminal prosecution under the laws on financing terrorism or extremism.
The Azov Brigade is a unit of the Ukrainian armed forces engaged in the lawful defence of Ukraine against military aggression. We consider the designation of Azov as a terrorist organisation unlawful. Likewise, we consider the designation of Pravy Sektor as an extremist organisation unlawful. Both designations were made by the Russian authorities for propaganda purposes.
Furthermore, the very fact of Korovina’s prosecution under the Russian Criminal Code is unlawful: under international law, the application of Russian criminal law on occupied territory is strictly limited.
A detailed description of Kateryna Korovina’s case and of our position is available on our website.
Recognition of an individual as a political prisoner does not imply the ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project agrees with, or approves of, their views, statements, or actions.
How can you help?
You can write a letter to Kateryna Korovina at the following address:
RU: 346408, Ростовская область, г. Новочеркасск, ул. Украинская, д. 1, ФКУ СИЗО-3 ГУФСИН России по Ростовской области, Коровиной Екатерине Анатольевне 1996 г. р.
EN: Kateryna Anatolivna Korovina (born 1996), Remand Prison No. 3, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Rostov Oblast, 1 Ukrainskaya Street, Novocherkassk, Rostov Oblast, 346408, Russia.
You can also send emails via the ZT service (for payment with Russian bank cards), OVD-Info and Memorial-France (free of charge).
Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the intended recipient.
You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
