Main points
- Russia has convicted two women in absentia on charges of killing officer Konstantin Nagayko, who was responsible for the death of 59 Ukrainians in the village of Groza.
- Elena Popova and Maria Savosta received 24 and 18 years in prison, respectively, for committing a “terrorist act”; Popova was also accused of illegal trafficking of explosives.
Russia Convicts Ukrainian and Russian Women in Absentia for Elimination of Nagayok / Collage by Channel 24
Russia has convicted two women in absentia of killing Russian missile officer Konstantin Nagayko, who is responsible for the deaths of 59 Ukrainians in the village of Groza in the Kharkiv region in October 2023.
Every sixth resident of the village died from the attack on the cafe where a memorial dinner for the fallen soldier was being held. Russian Elena Popova and Ukrainian Maria Savosta were sentenced to 24 and 18 years respectively for committing the “terrorist attack”, and the former was also accused of illegal trafficking of explosives, 24 Kanal reports, citing Russian media.
What Russia says about the liquidation of Nagayko
Nagayko was blown up in the city of Shuya in the Ivanovo region on January 3, 2025. He died in hospital a few weeks later.
Russian investigators claim that Savosta sent the occupier a parcel containing a cosmetic set as a New Year's gift, and Popova handed over the package through other people.
Allegedly, when he opened the “gift”, there was an explosion. They say that there was a homemade bomb.
The Ukrainians were given 18 years in prison, and Popova was given 24 years in prison, one year of restricted freedom, and a fine of 700 thousand rubles.
In addition, they were ordered to pay 70 thousand rubles in accordance with the lawsuit filed by the military unit where Nagayko was blown up.
