Moscow: Moscow considers the life sentence for Russian citizen Vojislav Torden, also known as Jan Petrovsky, in Finland to be biased and politically motivated, as stated by the Russian Foreign Ministry to RIA Novosti. On March 14, a Finnish court sentenced Torden to life imprisonment for his alleged involvement in four war crimes in Ukraine in 2014.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the Russian Foreign Ministry expressed concerns about the verdict, describing it as politically motivated and indicative of Finland's participation in the hybrid war led by the 'collective West' against Russia. The ministry criticized the Finnish judiciary, which they believe should maintain impartiality, for their role in this decision.

The prosecutor in Finland had sought a life sentence for Torden on charges related to five war crimes allegedly committed during his time as deputy commander of the Rusich sabotage and assault reconnaissance group. This group was active in the conflict in Donbas in 2014-2015, supporting the Donetsk and Lugansk republic forces. The prosecutor accused the unit of killing 22 Ukrainian soldiers and wounding four on September 5, 2014. Torden has consistently denied these charges.

Torden's legal troubles in Finland began with his detention in July 2023 over suspected immigration rule violations. Although Finland's Supreme Court rejected Ukraine's extradition request in December 2023 and ordered Torden's release, he was soon detained again by Finnish border guards and placed under investigation by Finland's National Bureau of Investigation for war crimes.