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Russian IT Worker Sentenced for Donations to Ukraine via Binance

Russian IT Worker Sentenced for Donations to Ukraine via Binance

First seen 27 Oct 2026, 22:17 UTC • •
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ThreatCluster AI
ThreatCluster •October 28, 2026 at 08:18 UTC
  • •Yury Belenky sentenced to 13 years for donating to Ukraine's military.
  • •Binance provided transaction data that led to Belenky's conviction.
  • •Rights advocates report increasing prosecutions for cryptocurrency donations in Russia.

Yury Belenky, a 49-year-old Russian IT specialist, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for financing terrorism after making cryptocurrency donations to Ukrainian military campaigns. The 2nd Western District Military Court convicted him based on transaction details provided by Binance, which included over $700 sent to the Ukrainian military and the Azov Brigade. Belenky, who holds a Bulgarian residence permit, was arrested in September 2025 while visiting Moscow and has denied the charges. His defense plans to appeal the verdict. Rights advocates report that many Russians have faced similar prosecutions for donations made through cryptocurrency platforms, which authorities later classified as extremist. Binance stated it does not enforce laws or decide how governments use information in legal proceedings. The case highlights the risks faced by individuals using cryptocurrency for political donations in Russia.

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Timeline

2025-09-01
Belenky arrested in Moscow
Yury Belenky was detained upon arriving in Moscow for a visit, leading to his prosecution for financing terrorism.
The Moscow Times
2026-10-27
Belenky sentenced to 13 years
The 2nd Western District Military Court sentenced Belenky to 13 years in prison for financing terrorism through cryptocurrency donations.
Aljazeera

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Common questions

What were the charges against Belenky?
Belenky was charged with financing terrorism for donating to Ukrainian military campaigns.
How did Binance's actions impact the case?
Binance provided transaction details to Russian authorities, which were crucial in prosecuting Belenky.
What is the current status of Belenky's appeal?
Belenky's defense has announced plans to appeal the court's verdict.