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Russian-Controlled Court Jails Woman for Buying Ukrainian War Bonds
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 23, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 23, 2026
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Quick Summary
A 66‑year‑old woman in Russian‑occupied Zaporizhzhia was convicted of treason for purchasing Ukrainian war bonds (~270,080 roubles) via a Ukrainian mobile app. She received a 14‑year prison sentence after being identified by the FSB, amid a growing trend of harsh penalties in occupied regions for ev
Russian-controlled Court Sentences Woman to 14 Years for Buying Ukrainian War Bonds
Details of the Sentencing and Context
Conviction and Sentencing
April 23 (Reuters) - A woman living in a Russian-controlled part of southern Ukraine has been found guilty of treason and sentenced to 14 years in prison for buying war bonds to support the Ukrainian military, the court that convicted her said on Thursday.
How the Bonds Were Purchased
The Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia District Court said the woman had used a Ukrainian mobile app to purchase bonds worth 270,080 roubles ($3,600), and had been caught by the FSB security service.
Identity and Citizenship Status
It identified her only by the initial B, and said she was a Russian citizen. People living in parts of Ukraine that Russian forces have captured in more than four years of war have effectively been forced to take Russian citizenship if they want to retain access to healthcare, pensions and property rights.
Human Rights Concerns
Human rights group Memorial, which Russia this month branded an extremist movement, named the woman as 66-year-old Larisa Belyayeva, a doctor from the village of Lyubimovka.
Background on Ukrainian War Bonds
Ukraine began issuing war bonds in February 2022, immediately after Russia's full-scale invasion, in order to fund its defence.
Investment Appeal of War Bonds
They have been promoted as a patriotic investment with the potential for attractive tax-free yields - currently up to 17.45% for bonds denominated in Ukrainian hryvnia, and more than 4% for dollar-denominated paper.
($1 = 74.9000 roubles)
(Reporting by Mark Trevelyan in London; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
Key Takeaways
- •Russian‑controlled courts increasingly convict residents for trivial financial support to Ukraine—donations or bond purchases now serve as grounds for treason charges (theins.org)
- •Forced Russian citizenship in occupied Ukrainian territories allows authorities to prosecute Ukrainian nationals under Russian treason laws (theins.org)
- •Such sentences are part of a broader wave: in 2025, convictions for “state treason” in occupied areas surged, with around 10 % tied to donations or financial transfers to Ukraine (theins.org)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Russian-controlled court jails woman for buying Ukrainian war bonds
1Why was the woman in Russian-controlled Ukraine jailed?
She was jailed for buying Ukrainian war bonds, which the court deemed as supporting Ukraine's military, leading to a treason conviction.
2How long was the sentence given to the woman for buying war bonds?
The woman was sentenced to 14 years in prison by a Russian-controlled court.
3What are Ukrainian war bonds and why were they issued?
Ukrainian war bonds were issued after the Russian invasion in 2022 to help fund Ukraine's defense efforts.
4Who was the woman identified by the court and human rights group?
The court identified her by the initial B, but Memorial named her as Larisa Belyayeva, a 66-year-old doctor from Lyubimovka.
5What incentives are offered to purchasers of Ukrainian war bonds?
War bonds offer attractive tax-free yields, reaching up to 17.45% for hryvnia-denominated and over 4% for dollar-denominated bonds.
