August M
A Moscow court has handed down a lengthy prison sentence to a Ukrainian-born weightlifter, in a case that Russian authorities say involves sabotage and terrorism linked to the war in Ukraine. The verdict has drawn attention because of the defendant’s sporting background and her outspoken defence in court.
The case comes amid intensified prosecutions related to the conflict.
Court verdict
According to the Daily Express, Yulia Lemeshchenko was sentenced to 19 years in prison after being convicted of treason, terrorism and sabotage by a Moscow court.
Prosecutors accused the 42-year-old of acting on behalf of Ukrainian security services. They said she had sabotaged power lines near St Petersburg and planned the assassination of a Russian air force commander in the Voronezh region.
Russia’s FSB security agency said she had been sent to carry out “diversionary and terrorist acts against energy and transport infrastructure, as well as against personnel of the Russian ministry of defence”.
Defiant statements
Lemeshchenko did not deny the accusations during the hearing but said her actions were guided by conscience. Her final remarks were published by Russian media.
“Maybe I am making my position worse with my words, but my honour and conscience are more important to me. I did what I considered necessary,” she told the court.
She also spoke about the impact of the war on her home area. Referring to Russia’s invasion of Kharkiv, she said some of her friends had died as a result of the fighting.
Personal background
Although a Russian citizen, Lemeshchenko moved to Ukraine in 2014 with her husband and child. She later became a Ukrainian weightlifting champion in 2021.
“I don’t think of myself as a cowardly or weak person, so I decided to fight against Russian military aggression,” she said in court. “I am not a citizen of the country for which I decided to fight, but nevertheless I consider Ukraine my home. I love the country, I love Kharkiv.”
She reportedly stopped attending the gym where she trained in 2023, a disappearance that surprised fellow athletes.
Reactions from sport
Oleksandr Chernyshov, head of the Kharkiv branch of Ukraine’s powerlifting federation, described her as dedicated and determined. “She was driven, hard working, she trained hard and achieved real results,” he said.
Her former trainer, Dmytro Pavlenko, said she vanished without explanation. “I asked her where she went, and she said: ‘I’m in Kyiv, all is OK,’” he said. “‘I’ll explain everything later.’”
Chernyshov added: “Could she have been capable of it? Absolutely. She was one of those people who are capable of big feats.”
Sources: Daily Express
