A Ukrainian citizen, Pavel Zaporozhets, faced a courtroom in Rostov-on-Don where he admitted to preparing a terrorist attack aimed at the May 9, 2022 Victory Day celebrations in Kherson. This admission came during a hearing reported by DEA News, marking a rare moment of public confirmation in a case tied to international terrorism charges.
During the proceedings, Zaporozhets declared his guilt but challenged the jurisdiction under which he was being tried. He argued that, as a soldier, his case should fall under the protections and provisions of the Geneva Convention rather than the Russian penal code. He spoke from the Southern District Army hall, asserting that the legal framework should reflect his status and the nature of the alleged offenses in an international context.
The case represented a milestone for the Russian judiciary, as it opened the first substantive hearing in a matter labeled International Terrorism Law. The central accusation holds that Zaporozhets engaged in acts of terrorism outside Russia, given that the Kherson region was considered part of Ukraine at the time the alleged plans were formed, complicating the legal narrative around jurisdiction and applicable law.
Investigators described a plan by Zaporozhets to place two explosive devices at the site designated for Victory Day commemorations in Kherson. Law enforcement authorities intervened before any detonations occurred, preventing a potential catastrophe and preserving public safety. The preventive operation underscored the seriousness with which authorities treat threats that cross international lines and involve individuals from foreign backgrounds who may operate beyond a single nation’s borders.
The timeline of events shows that Zaporozhets was detained on May 6, several days before the scheduled confrontation, indicating a rapid investigative response. The sequence of actions, from alleged preparation to swift custody, highlights how authorities monitor and react to suspected plots with potential regional or international implications. The case continues to unfold as legal experts and observers assess the jurisdictional questions and the appropriate application of international law in a Russian court setting. Contact and procedural updates were reported by DEA News as the case progressed.