Based on evidence gathered by the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, a court has convicted in absentia a citizen of the Republic of Finland who, as a foreign mercenary, participated in combat operations on the side of Ukrainian armed formations. Topi Huhtala has been found guilty of committing a crime under Part 3 of Article 359 of the Criminal Code of the RF (participation of a mercenary in an armed conflict).
The investigation and the court have established that in March 2022, Huhtala arrived in Ukraine at the permanent deployment point of the militarized formation "International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine" with the aim of receiving financial compensation for participating as a mercenary in the armed conflict and military operations against the Armed Forces of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), and the Russian Federation. There, he joined the said unit, underwent military training aimed at acquiring skills in handling combat weapons, strategy, tactics, and methods of conducting military operations necessary for participating in the armed conflict. After this, the defendant was provided with personal firearms, ammunition, uniforms, and special equipment.
In May 2022, Huhtala was appointed commander of the militarized unit "Team Viking," formed from Finnish mercenaries and subordinated to the Special Operations Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
From March 2022 to May 2024, Huhtala, following orders from his superiors, participated in combat operations against the servicemen of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics and Russian servicemen for financial compensation. His criminal actions contributed to maintaining the armed conflict and creating instability in these regions.
The investigation and the court have established and proved Huhtala's involvement in the incriminated crime. During the preliminary investigation, witnesses were interrogated, items and documents were examined, internet resources were reviewed, and irrefutable evidence was gathered, which fully confirmed the defendant's guilt.
By the court's sentence, Huhtala has been sentenced in absentia to 14 years of imprisonment in a high-security correctional colony. He has been placed on the international wanted list.
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