Russia jails IT worker for 13 years for donating money to Ukraine

A Russian military court sentenced 49-year-old IT specialist Yuri Belenkiy to 13 years in prison for financing “terrorism” through cryptocurrency donations to Ukrainian fundraising campaigns. Between August 2022 and March 2024, he allegedly made 15 transfers worth more than 120,000 roubles to support Ukraine’s armed forces and the Azov battalion, which Russia designates a “terrorist” organisation. Binance gave Russian investigators Belenkiy’s transaction history, which became key evidence in the case. Belenkiy denies the charges and was also fined 500,000 roubles; his defence plans to appeal.