Russia’s life-imprisoned killer of 18 seeks freedom through war in Ukraine PHOTO

Vladimir Alekseyev, known as “Vova Bespredel” and regarded as the most brutal member of the notorious Tsapok criminal gang, has made a second unsuccessful attempt to avoid a life sentence by volunteering for Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The 45-year-old inmate, convicted of murdering 18 people and implicated in nearly 200 rapes, was recently transferred from Torbeyevsky Central Prison (IK-6) to the Sosnovka penal colony (IK-1), both located in Russia’s Mordovia region, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

The facilities are approximately 30 kilometres apart.

SHOT reports that in the second half of 2025, while held at Torbeyevsky Central, Alekseyev again submitted a request to be deployed to the so-called “special military operation”. As with his first application, the request was rejected by the authorities.

New photographs — the first public images of Alekseyev in more than a decade — suggest he had been in good physical condition during his time in Torbeyevsky. The last known images of him previously dated back to his sentencing in 2013.

According to the outlet, Alekseyev recently had an extended family visit with his wife and children. He reportedly asked relatives to send parcels more frequently, particularly with medication, although not all items are approved by prison administrators.

Alekseyev was sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the massacre carried out by the Kushchyovskaya-based Tsapok gang, one of Russia’s most violent organised crime groups.

He is also burdened with outstanding financial liabilities approaching ₽1 billion ($13 million), largely stemming from court-ordered moral damages to victims’ families — payments that investigators say he and his relatives have failed to honour.

By Aghakazim Guliyev