Ruslan Sidiki
Ruslan Sidiki (born March 1988[1]) is a Russian-Italian anarchist who, in November 2023, conducted a drone strike on a military base in Dyagilevo air base in Ryazan Oblast, as well as derailing a freight train.[2]
Sidiki was arrested on charges of terrorism, with Russian prosecutors alleging collusion with Ukrainian military intelligence. While Sidiki does not deny committing the acts, he denies they are terrorist acts (as his targets were military and not civilian) and denied being briefed by Ukrainian intelligence. He also alleged his confession was extracted under torture.[3][4] In letters published by Mediazona, Sidiki describes discussing a possible attack on the airbase with a "Ukrainian comrade", as well as travelling to Latvia to prepare for their attack.[5][6] Following his arrest, he was put on Russia's list of extremists and terrorists.[7]
On 23 May 2025, he was sentenced to 29 years of imprisonment for sabotage. This will be 9 years in prison and 20 years in a strict-regimen corrective colony.[8][9]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "«Диверсант». Как Руслан Сидики стал «рязанским партизаном», пережил пытки, признал вину и попросил суд считать его военнопленным" ["Saboteur". How Ruslan Sidiki became a "Ryazan partisan", survived torture, admitted guilt and asked the court to consider him a prisoner of war]. Novaya Gazeta (in Russian). 23 May 2025. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
- ^ Lukina, Nastya (30 April 2025). "Hunting guerillas: Russia's law enforcement agencies caught an anti-war train bomber largely by chance". The Insider. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
- ^ "Russian anarchist on trial for terrorism says confession was extracted under torture". Novaya Gazeta Europe. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
- ^ Vasilyev, Pavel (6 September 2024). ""One said to another: 'Ring it!', an electric current coursed through my body, I screamed". Anarchist Rouslan Sidiki, detained for sabotage near Ryazan, recounts torture". Mediazona. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
- ^ Astashin, Ivan. "«Меня можно назвать партизаном». Анархист Руслан Сидики рассказывает, как пустил под откос поезд и атаковал военный аэродром" ["You could call me a partisan." Anarchist Ruslan Sidiki tells how he derailed a train and attacked a military airfield]. Mediazona (in Russian). Retrieved 3 June 2025.
- ^ "'Some people leave the country, others turn to explosives' In letters from jail, a Russian-Italian anarchist recounts how he turned to sabotage to combat the Kremlin's war". Meduza. 10 February 2025. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
- ^ "Подорвавшего железную дорогу под Рязанью Руслана Сидики приговорили к 29 годам" [Ruslan Sidiki, who blew up a railway near Ryazan, was sentenced to 29 years]. Kommersant (in Russian). 23 May 2025. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
- ^ ""Electric shock torture and beating someone tied up is utterly despicable". Anarchist Ruslan Sidiki's statement just before he received 29 years in prison". Mediazona. 23 May 2025. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
- ^ "Russian-Italian national Ruslan Sidiki sentenced to 29 years in prison for sabotage of Russian military logistics". The Insider. 23 May 2025. Retrieved 3 June 2025.