The Vinnytsia City Court has sentenced local blogger Oleksandr Shavliuk to three years in prison for defaming military personnel and misappropriating funds intended for the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF).
Although the court did not name the defendant, media reports confirm that it pertains to Shavliuk. The prosecution argued that as the founder and head of an information agency, he disseminated information aimed at undermining the lawful activities of the military, specifically targeting mobilization efforts conducted by the Territorial Recruitment Centers (TRC) and Special Forces (SF). This included personalized insults against military personnel fulfilling their duties.
Additionally, the prosecution alleged that Shavliuk solicited donations for the UAF through his online channels but diverted the funds for personal use. He denied the charges and refused to testify during the proceedings.
His defense team claimed that he was a victim of political persecution. The court ultimately found him guilty of crimes under Article 190 (fraud) and Article 435-1 (creation and distribution of materials that defame military personnel) of the Ukrainian Criminal Code, imposing a sentence of three years of imprisonment. The verdict has not yet become legally binding.
In a related development, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported the arrest of an individual in Vinnytsia who managed several YouTube and Telegram channels. This person allegedly provided online consultations on resisting lawful actions by the TRC and misappropriated funds donated by citizens to the UAF in November 2024.
Shavliuk operated a YouTube channel where he published videos advising viewers on how to resist mobilization, cancel searches by the TRC, and avoid paying utility bills. Some of his videos were not publicly accessible, as he offered subscriptions to his channel for a monthly fee ranging from 450 to 6,000 hryvnias.
Oleksandr Shavliuk, a Ukrainian blogger, has been sentenced to three years in prison for defaming military personnel and misappropriating funds meant for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The court's decision follows allegations that he spread disinformation about military mobilization and solicited donations for personal gain.