Former U.S. Journalist and Ukrainian Military Spokesperson Sentenced to 20 Years by Russian-Controlled Court | World | london-news-net.preview-domain.com

Former U.S. Journalist and Ukrainian Military Spokesperson Sentenced to 20 Years by Russian-Controlled Court

June 2, 2025

Former U.S. Journalist and Ukrainian Military Spokesperson Sentenced to 20 Years by Russian-Controlled Court

A court in the occupied eastern region of Ukraine has issued a 20-year prison sentence in absentia for a former U.S. journalist who briefly served as a spokesperson for the Ukrainian military, as announced by Russian officials on Monday.

Sarah Ashton-Cirillo, 47, arrived in Ukraine from the United States in March 2022 to cover the Russian invasion and subsequently joined the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces. In August 2023, she was designated as the English-language spokesperson for the unit.

However, the Ukrainian military suspended her the following month after she made statements indicating that Kyiv would “hunt down” journalists linked to the Russian state. These comments were met with outrage from Moscow and led to Russian authorities pursuing criminal charges against her.

Last year, Ashton-Cirillo was charged in Russia with participating as a mercenary and disseminating “false information” regarding the Russian military. Subsequently, she was added to the list of people wanted by the Russian government and included in a registry of “extremists and terrorists.”

According to the Prosecutor General’s Office of Russia, the Supreme Court, which was established by Moscow in the occupied Donetsk area, found her guilty on both charges.

Prosecutors alleged that Ashton-Cirillo participated in combat and released a video in August 2023, claiming that Russia was employing biological weapons in Syria and Ukraine.

As a result, she received a 20-year sentence in a medium-security facility. Sentences rendered in absentia usually take effect only if the individual is extradited to Russia.

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