A Russian IT worker was sentenced to 13 years behind bars after authorities convicted him over donations he made to support Ukraine, Al Jazeera reported. The conviction was secured after cryptocurrency exchange Binance provided Russian investigators with records of donations the man had made to Ukrainian causes.
Details released by local media and human rights monitors say the exchange handed over information about the transfers to law enforcement, which prosecutors used as evidence in the case. The man’s legal team and specific charge language were not disclosed in the initial reporting.
The case underscores the growing reach of state investigations into financial support for Ukraine. In recent years Russian authorities have increased scrutiny of individuals and organizations accused of supplying funds or other assistance to Ukrainian groups, and cases such as this have prompted concerns from rights advocates about the criminalization of humanitarian or political support.
The role of major cryptocurrency platforms in responding to government data requests has come under scrutiny internationally. Analysts and civil liberties organisations have warned that when exchanges cooperate with state agencies — including by sharing transaction records and customer data — donors can become vulnerable to prosecution in countries where such transfers are illegal or politically sensitive.
The conviction adds to a pattern of prosecutions related to donations and public expressions of support for Ukraine inside Russia, raising questions about privacy, compliance and the responsibilities of global financial intermediaries. There was no immediate public comment from Binance or Russian authorities in response to the report.