ROSTOV-ON-DON, March 26. /TASS/. The Southern District Military Court has sentenced 23 members of the Ukrainian Azov brigade (recognized as a terrorist organization and banned in Russia) to prison sentences ranging from 13 to 23 years, a TASS correspondent reports from the courtroom.

"The court has found all 23 defendants guilty and sentenced them to terms of imprisonment ranging from 13 to 23 years," the judge announced.

After the verdict was declared, the lawyer of a defendant told journalists that the sentences of all 12 convicted individuals present in court would be appealed.

Initially, 24 people were in the dock. However, the proceedings for one deceased defendant were terminated, leaving the court to sentence 23 members of the Azov brigade - 12 in person and 11 in absentia. They will serve their sentences in strict regime colonies.

During the parties' debate, the state prosecutor requested prison terms ranging from 16 to 24 years for the defendants. Most of the accused did not plead guilty, while some partially admitted their involvement, confirming their participation in the brigade. Additionally, two of the 24 defendants were exchanged and did not attend the sessions.

The defendants include Azov members who gathered information on the location of allied forces from the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Russia in the spring of 2022, passing it on for shelling and targeting positions. Some were preparing for the violent seizure of new DPR territories beyond their control, while others were responsible for controlling checkpoints, guarding and defending military camps, and overseeing occupied territories in the DPR. They were detained while attempting to leave the combat zone.