Russian Teen Sentenced to 15 Years for $54 Crypto Donation to Ukraine Group

Danila Yakovlev, a 19-year-old resident of Biysk, a city near Russia’s Altai Krai border, found himself facing the consequences of a seemingly small donation.

A Russian court sentenced Yakovlev to 15 years in prison for financially supporting a paramilitary unit linked to Ukraine.

In addition to his lengthy prison sentence, he was fined 100,000 rubles, equivalent to $1,082, with 13 years to be served in a maximum-security penal colony, as reported by Mediazona.

A Small Donation Leads to Severe Consequences

The donation in question amounted to just 5,000 rubles, or about $54.

An unnamed source familiar with the case revealed that Yakovlev had only intended to provide a “very small amount.”

This minor contribution, however, led to a massive legal outcome, as Russian authorities viewed the act as a grave offence.

Was Cryptocurrency Involved in the Transaction?

Yakovlev’s arrest took place in January 2024, when Russian security services apprehended him for allegedly transferring funds to an anti-Kremlin organisation.

The Federal Security Service (FSB) initially withheld his name, but a circulating video of the arrest revealed Yakovlev stating his identity while being detained by agents.

According to reports from Kommersant, Yakovlev attempted to transfer the money via cryptocurrency, further complicating the case.

Who Benefited from Yakovlev’s Donation?

Yakovlev’s intended recipient was reportedly the Freedom of Russia Legion, a paramilitary group operating with pro-Ukrainian objectives.

Freedom of Russia Legion fighters. (Source: Freedom of Russia Legion’s Telegram)

This group has been active in Russia, attacking military infrastructure and sabotaging assets within the country’s borders.

Due to its activities, the Russian Supreme Court officially declared the Freedom of Russia Legion a terrorist organisation.

Russian Law Tightens Under Putin: How Did It Affect Yakovlev?

In April 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin enacted a law that dramatically increased the penalties for treason.

Under this new law, the maximum sentence for treason now ranges from 20 years to life imprisonment.

Yakovlev was ultimately charged with treason and financing terrorism.

Court records indicate that his case concluded on September 20, 2024, after several hearings over the span of two months.

Multiple Charges, but Were All Transactions Successful?

Mediazona noted that Yakovlev initially faced several counts related to financing terrorism, but some of the charges were dismissed.

It appears that multiple attempts to send funds failed, resulting in the reduction of charges.

Despite this, the authorities proceeded with the most severe accusations, leading to his conviction on treason and terrorism financing.

Yakovlev Isn’t Alone: Others Face Similar Sentences

Yakovlev is not the first Russian citizen to receive a lengthy prison sentence for donations supporting Ukraine.

In August 2024, another case gained attention involving 33-year-old amateur ballerina Ksenia Khavana, a former Russian citizen who had become a U.S. citizen and was living in Los Angeles before her sentencing to 12 years in prison.

Her crime? Donating $51 to a Ukraine-supporting charity.

Both cases highlight the significant risks that Russian citizens now face under the tightened laws targeting any support for Ukraine amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

What Were the Final Moments Before Yakovlev’s Arrest?

Footage released following his January arrest shows the tense moments when federal agents entered an apartment to detain Yakovlev.

In the video, the 19-year-old can be heard identifying himself before being taken into custody.

Though the Russian security services chose not to release his name initially, this video circulating online offered a clear confirmation of his identity.

Yakovlev’s sentencing marks yet another example of the harsh penalties now being imposed for even small financial contributions linked to pro-Ukrainian causes in Russia.

His case, along with others like Khavana’s, reflects the increasingly stringent measures under Russian law aimed at curbing any support for Ukraine, especially through financial channels.