The Prymorskyi District Court of Odesa found serviceman Serhii Shalaev guilty in the case of the murder of the well-known Odesa activist Demian Hanul. Based on evidence collected by the police, the man was sentenced to life imprisonment, reports UNN.
The court of first instance found Shalaev guilty under three articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
According to the investigation, Shalaev prepared the crime in advance, surveilled the activist, and acted on the instructions of unidentified individuals who, according to the prosecution, worked in the interests of Russia.
Details
Serhii Serhiiovych Shalaev, who was 46 years old at the time of the trial, is a native of Kyiv. In court, he stated that he has a higher education, had recently lived in Odesa, and had no prior criminal record.
At the time of the murder, Shalaev was a serviceman. According to the 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade, he held the rank of senior lieutenant.
He was transferred to the brigade in July 2024 from another military unit. The 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade stated that after the transfer, Shalaev was mostly undergoing treatment, was not involved in combat missions, and did not return to the unit after leave.
According to the brigade, since February 22, 2025, he had been absent without leave (AWOL). At the same time, the SBU, according to media reports, stated that Shalaev had been wanted for desertion since February 23, 2025.
The murder of Demian Hanul: what you need to know
Odesa activist Demian Hanul was killed on March 14, 2025, in the center of Odesa. According to the prosecutor's office, at around 10:30 a.m., the attacker shot Hanul several times. The activist died at the scene.
The suspect was detained the same day.
Later, the investigation established that, according to law enforcement, Shalaev had prepared for the crime in advance. He took leave, rented two apartments in Odesa, and illegally acquired weapons, ammunition, and hand grenades.
According to the case materials, on the day of the murder, Shalaev shot Hanul several times, including in the head. During the trial, he pleaded guilty.
The investigation's version of the crime preparation
According to the data of the prosecution, starting in December 2024, Shalaev communicated on Viber with a person who claimed to be an SBU employee. This person allegedly "vetted" him for future work and later provided information about Demian Hanul.
The investigation believes that Shalaev surveilled the activist for about a month. He received instructions from an anonymous "curator," rented housing in Odesa, and received a Makarov pistol with ammunition from a woman whose identity has not yet been established.
After that, according to law enforcement, Shalaev did not return to his military unit and began to carry out instructions regarding the preparation of the murder.
Shalaev himself stated in court that he believed he was acting in the interests of state special services.
The defense insisted that he could have been used through a manipulative scheme. At the same time, the prosecution noted that Shalaev did not contact law enforcement to verify such "tasks," received weapons, followed instructions, and attempted to avoid responsibility after the crime.
What is known about possible masterminds
According to the investigation, the order for the murder came from unidentified individuals who claimed to be law enforcement officers but were not. The prosecution believes these individuals acted in the interests of Russia.
The names of possible masterminds have not been publicly disclosed. Materials regarding the organizers and possible accomplices have been separated into a separate criminal proceeding.
Evidence in the activist's murder case
During the trial, the parties examined video surveillance recordings, investigative experiment protocols, expert examination results, and data on weapons and biological traces.
According to information presented in court, a DNA profile highly likely belonging to Shalaev was found on the Makarov pistol. Experts also found blood on his belongings, including a bag and a sports jacket.
A psychiatric examination did not establish that Shalaev had a chronic mental illness or temporary mental disorder that could affect his ability to be aware of his actions.
Under which articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine Shalaev was tried
The court found Serhii Shalaev guilty under three articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
- premeditated murder for mercenary motives and on commission;
- illegal handling of weapons;
- unauthorized abandonment of a military unit or place of service under martial law.
The court sentenced him to life imprisonment. A decision was also made to confiscate his property and strip Shalaev of his military rank.
The verdict has not yet entered into force. The parties have 30 days to file an appeal.