15-Year Sentence for Derkach: $567,000 from Russia for Subversive Acts Against Ukraine.

Andriy Derkach's Conviction

According to Espreso.tv: Ukrainian lawmaker Andriy Derkach has been found guilty of accepting $567,000 from a Russian intelligence agency in 2020 to carry out subversive activities targeting Ukraine. The court handed down a 15-year prison sentence along with a three-year ban on holding public office. The verdict will take effect in 30 days unless an appeal is filed.

Court proceedings in Derkach's case took place from June 9 to June 23. Investigators determined that Derkach received the funds while already under U.S. sanctions as a designated 'Russian agent.' In January 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revoked Derkach's citizenship, citing his ties to Russia. Derkach currently resides in Russia and openly supports the Russian regime.

Derkach's Political Career in Russia

After fleeing Ukraine, Derkach continued his political activities in Russia. In September 2024, he was appointed to the Federation Council, Russia's upper house of parliament, and in December of that year, he was awarded the title of Hero of Russia. These developments highlight that Derkach's political efforts are now fully aligned with advancing Russian interests, despite the legal repercussions he faces in Ukraine.

The court's ruling against Andriy Derkach underscores the severity of charges brought against individuals who collaborate with foreign intelligence agencies, particularly in matters of Ukraine's national security.

His subsequent political rise in Russia illustrates how such individuals can gain influence on the international stage, even as they face legal consequences in their home country. This case may serve as a warning to other politicians about the risks of cooperating with hostile states, and it could shape future Ukrainian government actions against internal betrayal and threats to national security.