In a months-long trial that began earlier this year, the court heard that Kurashov’s unit attacked a Ukrainian position in the Zaporizhzhia region on the morning of 6 January 2024.
According to prosecutors, Ukrainian soldier Hodniuk emerged from a dugout unarmed and surrendered, but Kurashov fired several point-blank shots from his AK-47, killing him — an act deemed a violation of the laws of war.
Soon after, Ukrainian forces overpowered Kurashov’s unit and took them as prisoners of war.
Kurashov initially pleaded guilty but later withdrew his plea, claiming he only did so to speed up the trial and secure a possible prisoner exchange. He insisted that a Russian medic — who later died — had fired the fatal shots.
However, his account was contradicted by fellow soldiers from his unit who were also captured by Ukrainian forces. They confirmed that Hodniuk had surrendered with his hands raised and that only Kurashov was near him when the gunfire erupted. One soldier stated the medic accused by Kurashov wasn’t even present at the scene.
Kurashov chose not to testify during the trial. His lawyer, Anna Karpenko, said he “sincerely repented” and claimed he had acted under orders not to take prisoners.
Prosecutor Nikita Manevsky, who sought the maximum sentence, argued that Kurashov had shown “no remorse” and only “cold indifference” throughout the proceedings.
