Trial of Azov prisoners of war begins in Rostov-on-Don

On June 14, the trial of 22 prisoners of war of the Azov Brigade who defended Mariupol began in the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don, Russia - the Associated Press.

The prisoners are accused of allegedly being "involved in a terrorist organisation". The Azov battalion has been recognised as a "terrorist organisation" in Russia since August 2022.

The prisoners of war face 15 years to life in prison.

Of the 24 people charged, two were exchanged for Russian prisoners of war. Of the remaining 22 defendants, eight are women who allegedly worked as cooks for Azov.

"Azov has been a brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine since 2023. Before that, it was a separate special forces unit that has been involved in the war against Ukraine since 2014. 

During the full-scale invasion in 2022, Azov defended the besieged city of Mariupol and the Azovstal steel plant. The last remaining soldiers at Azovstal left the plant on orders from the Ukrainian high command and were captured by Russia in May 2022.

Photo: Associated Press