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The prosecutor has requested a four-year general regime prison sentence for 19-year-old college student Vladislav Timofeyev from Pskov, a city in north-western Russia, who works as a presser at the Slavyanka sewing factory. Timofeyev is charged with justification of terrorism (Part 2, Article 205.2 of the Russian Criminal Code), reports “Bumaga.”
The sentence requested for Timofeyev is below the minimum limit for the charge. He previously pleaded guilty, cooperated with the investigation, and donated 5,000 rubles (about US$54) to the “Everything for Victory” foundation, which collects donations for participants in the war in Ukraine.
The case is being heard by the 1st Western District Military Court in St Petersburg. Timofeyev is participating in the trial via video link from Pskov. He is not in pre-trial detention, but it is unclear what preventive measure has been applied to him.
The case against the student was opened over several comments posted between November 2024 and February 2025 in the “3 OF NS” chat. In these messages, he praised “Azov” and its founder Andriy Biletsky, as well as the Russian Volunteer Corps.
“No one is fighting for some kind of government. Ukrainians are fighting for the freedom of their nation, for higher ideals and eternal values, for their own system of coordinates against the slavish yoke and the [expletive] Kremlin horde that came to Slavic lands to kill white people. Russians in the RDK are also fighting for freedom, for their homeland. The same goes for Belarusians. Those who seek freedom for their nation are also fighting for Ukraine. There are no other options here. The RDK is the only Russian position, there is no other,” the judge quoted one of Timofeyev’s comments.
The case materials state that Timofeyev posted images in the chat with RDK symbols calling for others to join the unit. FSB officers also claimed to have found a copy of “Mein Kampf” on the student’s computer and a note listing plans for the coming year to earn 50,000 rubles (about US$540), obtain a foreign passport, leave Russia, and try to join the RDK.
During the investigation, Timofeyev stated during interrogation that he was the editor of a “right-wing radical chat” with 120 members. He confirmed that he had posted the comments he was charged with. He also said he had changed his views before his arrest.
“He said he changed his views long ago, before the [FSB-conducted] search, and that he now supports the President’s policy,” his mother said in court.
It is unclear exactly when the criminal case was initiated. On 16 April, the student’s home was searched, and in July he was formally charged.
Additionally, in June, Timofeyev was formally charged under Article 20.3.1 of the Administrative Code for inciting hatred, relating to comments about the Russian authorities and supporters of the war in Ukraine. He was sentenced, but the precise punishment is not known.
15:16 The court has sentenced Timofeyev to two and a half years in a general regime prison colony, reports SOTAvision.
Following the announcement of the verdict, the student was taken into custody. Until that moment, he had been under house arrest, the publication clarifies.
In his final statement, Timofeyev asked not to be sent to prison, but given a fine instead.
“I want to support my family, finish college, and live a normal life,” he said. His lawyer noted that Timofeyev’s mother is seriously ill with cancer and needs her son’s help.