Moscow Judge Extends Hayden Davies' Sentence to 15 Years as Brit Says He Was Abandoned
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 18
Moscow Judge Extends Hayden Davies' Sentence to 15 Years as Brit Says He Was Abandoned
2 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 18
A Moscow judge added two years to Hayden Davies' prison term last week, raising the former British soldier's sentence to 15 years after ruling his original punishment was too lenient.
Davies, 33, was convicted of mercenaryism after joining Ukraine's foreign legion; he had received 13 years in December from a Russia-controlled court in occupied Donetsk, which Britain does not recognize.
In letters from detention, Davies said he was badly wounded before capture, spent two months hiding in a basement, then a year in solitary confinement, and still lacks proper medical help for a serious leg injury.
The UK says it is in contact with his family and condemns the false charges, but activists and a source close to Davies said British officials have had no meaningful contact with his Russian legal team.
The case underscores wider concerns over Russia's treatment of POWs and detainees, with the Red Cross lacking full access in Russia-controlled territory and London warning its ability to help Britons who fight in Ukraine is very limited.
As Russia systematically tortures POWs, what does a UK veteran's 'abandonment' signal to other foreign volunteers?
With third parties securing releases, is the UK government truly powerless to help its captured soldiers in Russia?
Hayden Davies and the Legal Peril Facing Foreign Volunteers in Ukraine’s War: POW Status, Mercenary Accusations, and Diplomatic Deadlock
Overview
Hayden Davies, a former British soldier, traveled to Ukraine in August 2024, where he joined the International Legion, completed military training, and fought against Russian forces in Donetsk. He was captured in winter 2024 while carrying a US-made assault rifle and ammunition. Like other foreign volunteers, Davies faces serious risks, including mistreatment and being denied Prisoner of War status, as Russian authorities often label such fighters as mercenaries. This situation highlights the dangers and legal uncertainties foreign volunteers encounter, both during captivity and upon returning home, as they may also face prosecution for their involvement in the conflict.