Russian court sentences British AFU mercenary in absentia to 14 years in penal colony

A Russian court has sentenced in absentia British citizen Delaney Paul Darren to 14 years in a maximum-security penal colony for mercenarism. According to the Investigative Committee, in 2023 he fought as part of the International Legion against Russian servicemen and the security forces of the DNR and LNR, and has been placed on an international wanted list.

Aziz KarimovFirst published on tafs uz 6 November 2026 at 19:142 min read

The key facts

The court sentenced Briton Delaney Paul Darren in absentia to 14 years in a maximum-security penal colony under Part 3 of Article 359 of the Russian Criminal Code
According to the investigation, he arrived in Ukraine in March 2023, joined the International Legion and fought for pay until August 2023
Darren has been placed on an international wanted list; earlier, Briton Ennis Adam Wilson received a similar in absentia verdict

In absentia verdict for mercenarism

A Russian court has sentenced in absentia British citizen Delaney Paul Darren to 14 years of imprisonment in a maximum-security penal colony for taking part in hostilities on Ukraine's side as a mercenary. The man was found guilty under Part 3 of Article 359 of the Russian Criminal Code, as reported by the Investigative Directorate of Russia's Investigative Committee (Life.ru). The verdict was handed down in absentia because, according to the Investigative Committee, the man is beyond the reach of Russian law enforcement, and he has been placed on an international wanted list.

What the investigation established

According to the investigation, in March 2023 Darren arrived in Ukraine, underwent combat training, and was then provided with firearms, ammunition and military equipment. He then joined the International Legion and, as the court established, took part in hostilities against Russian servicemen and members of the security forces of the DNR and LNR. According to the Investigative Committee, the Briton received material remuneration for his participation in the armed conflict, and his activity as part of the Ukrainian formation continued until August 2023. The evidence was gathered by the Main Investigative Directorate of Russia's Investigative Committee.

Similar cases against Britons

This is not the only in absentia verdict of this kind: earlier, as Life.ru reported citing the Investigative Committee, another British mercenary, Ennis Adam Wilson, was also sentenced in absentia to 14 years in a penal colonywho, according to the investigation, also fought on Ukraine's side and has been placed on an international wanted list. An in absentia verdict essentially means that the sentence cannot be enforced while the convicted person remains outside Russian jurisdiction; the placement on the international wanted list, according to the Investigative Committee, is aimed at his possible detention upon crossing a border.