A 21-year-old student from Volgograd Polytechnic College, Andrey Glukhov, has been sentenced to 12 years in a high-security penal colony on charges of treason. The Volgograd Regional Court issued the verdict on May 29, 2025. The accusation was based on two small money transfers—1,500 rubles each—to a bank account in Ukraine. The total amount, just 3,000 rubles, was interpreted by investigators as aiding a hostile foreign power.
Andrey has had cerebral palsy since childhood and suffers from limited mobility in his right arm and leg. A second-year college student, he mostly stayed at home. In September 2024, the FSB searched his apartment, where he lived with his mother, seizing computer equipment. He was interrogated and initially released, only to be detained a month later and placed in pretrial detention.
According to his father, Eduard Glukhov, Andrey held anti-war views. After the invasion of Ukraine began, he met someone online who claimed to be a Ukrainian citizen. This person said he was collecting signatures to promote peace talks and gave Andrey a bank account number. Andrey transferred money twice and later admitted to the act during the investigation.
During a visit to the detention center, Andrey initially told his father that “everything was okay,” but as their meeting ended, he broke into tears and apologized. “Just three thousand rubles—and now twelve years,” his father said in disbelief.
Conclusion:
This case highlights how broadly the Russian state interprets treason. Even a disabled, homebound young man has not escaped harsh punitive measures. The verdict raises serious concerns: in today's Russia, even symbolic gestures can lead to years behind bars.
