The former deputy commander of the Ukrainian Navy, Vice Admiral Serhiy Yeliseyev, was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison and stripped of his rank of vice admiral. This was reported by “Glavkom,” citing the Office of the Prosecutor General.
Treason during the occupation of Crimea
In 2014, at the beginning of the occupation of Crimea, Yeliseyev was effectively acting as commander of the Ukrainian Navy; however, he disobeyed orders from the state leadership, violated his military oath, and defected to the aggressor. The Primorsky District Court of Odessa handed down the verdict on June 8, 2026, following a public indictment by prosecutors from the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for the Southern Region in the field of defense.
Admission of Guilt
The court found Yeliseyev guilty of treason, desertion, violating Ukraine’s territorial integrity, participating in a terrorist organization, and waging an aggressive war. Prosecutors proved that his actions undermined Ukraine’s defense capabilities, facilitated the seizure of Ukrainian ships, and established Russian control over Crimea.
After defecting to Russia in July 2014, Yeliseyev became deputy commander of the Russian Baltic Fleet, responsible for combat training. Despite personnel purges in the command in 2016, he retained his position.
The convicted man continued to publicly support the aggressor state and participated in its propaganda activities. He is subject to sanctions imposed by Ukraine, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the EU, and other countries.
