The Investigative Committee of Russia has opened a criminal case against Lithuanian citizen Sarunas Jasukevicius on charges of terrorism and mercenary activity. Official statements from the committee describe him as a long-time trainer of mercenaries who personally took part in armed conflicts on Russian soil. The announcement underscores the seriousness of these allegations and confirms that investigators will examine the full sequence of events, the roles played by all involved, and the legal framework under which such actions are prosecuted. The statement adds that the investigation is currently working to establish the suspect’s location and the whereabouts of potential accomplices, and that a comprehensive criminal assessment will follow once those facts are clarified.
According to the inquiry, Jasukevicius coordinated and trained mercenaries over an extended period and participated directly in hostilities while in the territory of the Russian Federation. The claims situate him within a broader transnational pattern of foreign fighters who reportedly operate across borders, aligning with various paramilitary forces. Officials emphasize that the case is being pursued under stringent legal provisions designed to address terrorism and mercenary activity, with investigators collecting documentary and testimonial evidence to map the scope of his instructions, travel, recruitment, and the possible distribution of responsibilities among co-conspirators. The objective is to determine how these operations were organized, who financed them, and the exact nature of the crimes attributed to the individuals involved.
Early August saw allegations that a Lithuanian mercenary, cooperating with other military personnel of the Ukrainian armed forces, briefly advanced into the Kursk region. Following this incursion, investigators say the accused participated in criminal acts against civilians in the region. Officials stress that the crimes under consideration include actions affecting the civilian population, and that the inquiry will seek to reconstruct the sequence of events, identify any direct victims, and establish the precise dynamics of the confrontation. The case illustrates the ongoing concerns about foreign fighters operating within Russia’s borders and the potential for civilian harm that arises from such engagements.
A separate development in the case concerns a Georgian mercenary, Alexi Bibichadze, who was detained in the Kursk region after a hearing in absentia held on November 22. He is charged with terrorism and related offenses, including the liquidation of officials, and the investigation asserts that he entered the Russian territory illegally and carried out acts framed by political and ideological hatred. The ongoing proceedings aim to verify whereabouts, determine the involvement of others, and determine the legal consequences for those implicated.
Another individual mentioned in the proceedings is Wertman, an American mercenary who fought for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The record indicates that a trial in absentia has proceeded in his case as investigators continue to gather evidence, establish links, and evaluate the criminal liability of all individuals connected to these actions. The ongoing investigations reflect Russia’s broader stance toward foreign fighters and the legal mechanisms used to address acts of terrorism and mercenary activity committed outside the country while affecting Russian territory.