Russian soldier sentenced to 12 years for brutally torturing ex-girlfriend

A Russian soldier has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for torturing his ex-girlfriend with particular cruelty, the Abakan Garrison Military Court declared.

Mikhail Kazantsev was convicted of torture with particular cruelty, causing grievous bodily harm, and unlawful deprivation of liberty, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media. 

The incident occurred in Kyzyl on November 24, 2024, shortly after Kazantsev returned from the front.

On that day, his ex-girlfriend, with whom he reportedly stayed in touch, visited his rented apartment. Kazantsev then subjected her to prolonged brutal torture.

He beat her with a crutch, breaking her arm, and forced her onto the balcony in temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius, the court said. 

The following morning, he poured boiling water on her, burned her eyelid with a cigarette, and threw bottles at her. He also strangled her with a cord, shaved her head, beat her with a belt buckle, pushed her off a chair causing her head to strike a radiator, and shot her with a toy gun.

On the morning of November 29, Kazantsev left the apartment unlocked while going to a store. The victim escaped wearing his clothes, sought help at a nearby kindergarten, where staff contacted police.

The victim was hospitalised with a traumatic brain injury, second-degree burns, stab wounds on both hands, and a broken ulna.

By Sabina Mammadli