Russian court sentences 23 Ukrainian fighters to long prison terms, deemed a "sham" by Ukraine.

Russian court has convicted 23 Ukrainian fighters, including members of the Azov Brigade, on terrorism charges, sentencing them to 13 to 23 years in prison. The trial, held in absentia for 11 defendants, has been condemned by Ukraine as a "sham" and a violation of international law. Memorial, a Russian rights group, designated the defendants as political prisoners. The Azov Brigade has been labeled a terrorist group by Russia but is defended by Ukraine. Ukrainian officials have called for international response and criticized the trial as a war crime.