October 17, 2026
Major General in the Russian forces, Andriy Bezlyudko, faces extensive investigations and official accusations of high treason and desertion by the Ukrainian authorities, in a remarkable turn for his military career, which began with the rank of captain in the Ukrainian army and ended with him leading Russian combat axes.
The Ukrainian Security Service announced the indictment in absentia of Bezlyudko, who is at the top of the most wanted list in Ukraine, and is currently commanding one of the tactical directions within the Russian group of forces, “Sever,” and supervising military operations in the Volchansk axis, according to what was reported by the Ukrainian public radio and television corporation, “Sospilny.”
The roots of the case go back to 2014, when Bezlyudko, who is from the Ukrainian city of Cherkassy, held the rank of captain, chief of staff and first deputy commander of a mountain infantry battalion of the Navy. Investigations indicate that he refrained from carrying out the orders of his leadership after Russia took control of the Crimean Peninsula, preferring to remain there, and later obtained Russian citizenship to join the ranks of its army.
Bezlyudko rose through the ranks of the Russian military, reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel in 2021 to serve as deputy commander of a mechanized infantry regiment. With the outbreak of large-scale Russian military operations in February 2022, his promotion accelerated within three years until he reached the rank of major general, assuming command of the 69th Mechanized Infantry Division of the Sixth General Army within the “Sevier” group.
Kiev credits the Russian brigade with participating in combat operations against Ukraine since the start of the war, and leading forces that bombed and controlled towns in the Zaporizhya province. Moreover, the Ukrainian Security Service accuses him of responsibility for intimidation practices against Ukrainian civilians at checkpoints in areas under Russian control.
Based on the evidence collected by Ukrainian investigators, Bezlyudko faces charges of high treason and desertion, which could result in a prison sentence of up to 15 years, according to the Sospilny network.
