News
- 30 April 2026, 11:15
- The Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation
The Supreme Court of the Donetsk People’s Republic has rendered a default judgment in the criminal case against 31-year-old citizen of the Republic of Ireland Rhys Byrne. He was found guilty under Article 359, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (participation of a mercenary in an armed conflict).
It was established that in March 2022, Byrne arrived in Ukraine, where he joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as a mercenary. He underwent military training to participate in the armed conflict and was provided with personal firearms and necessary special equipment. Thereafter, until the fall of 2025, the accused took part in hostilities against Russian servicemen.
For said actions, the mercenary received remuneration in excess of 2 million rubles.
Byrne has been placed on the international wanted list, and a pre-trial restraint in the form of detention was imposed upon him in absentia by the court.
Taking into account the position of the state prosecutor, Byrne was sentenced in absentia to 13 years of imprisonment, to be served in a strict-regime correctional colony.
The Prosecutor General's Office
of the Russian Federation
The Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation
30 April 2026, 11:15
Default Judgment Rendered in Criminal Case Against Mercenary from Ireland in the DPR
The Supreme Court of the Donetsk People’s Republic has rendered a default judgment in the criminal case against 31-year-old citizen of the Republic of Ireland Rhys Byrne. He was found guilty under Article 359, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (participation of a mercenary in an armed conflict).
It was established that in March 2022, Byrne arrived in Ukraine, where he joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as a mercenary. He underwent military training to participate in the armed conflict and was provided with personal firearms and necessary special equipment. Thereafter, until the fall of 2025, the accused took part in hostilities against Russian servicemen.
For said actions, the mercenary received remuneration in excess of 2 million rubles.
Byrne has been placed on the international wanted list, and a pre-trial restraint in the form of detention was imposed upon him in absentia by the court.
Taking into account the position of the state prosecutor, Byrne was sentenced in absentia to 13 years of imprisonment, to be served in a strict-regime correctional colony.
