EUROPOL supported the second phase of the investigation conducted by the police authorities of Moldova and Ukraine against Russian mercenaries suspected of committing war crimes on Ukrainian soil, and among the identified suspects are citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
According to EUROPOL, the investigation covered a total of 654 members of the Russian private military companies Wagner and Redut, suspected of participating in combat operations against Ukraine. Among them are citizens of Ukraine, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
These individuals are linked to war crimes, including sexual violence, executions of prisoners of war and civilians.
During the operation on 29 October 2025, police in Moldova and Ukraine conducted 70 searches. During the operation, firearms and cold weapons, ammunition, uniforms and insignia of the Wagner group, as well as electronic equipment, were seized. Video footage and photographic evidence indicating the participation of Ukrainian and Moldovan citizens in combat operations in Ukraine and the Democratic Republic of Congo were also collected.
As part of the investigation, the Ukrainian authorities shared a list of 280 foreign nationals suspected of participating in war operations through Europol’s secure channels. So far, 11 Ukrainian citizens have been charged with high treason for joining the Wagner and Redut formations.
Europol provided analytical and operational support during the operation, setting up a virtual command center and coordinating the exchange of information between the countries involved. The collected data and open intelligence (OSINT) were also analyzed to identify individuals linked to war crimes.
This investigation is part of a broader cooperation between Europol, Ukraine and Moldova aimed at combating serious and organized crime and strengthening the security of the European neighbourhood.
The Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina prohibits participation in foreign battlefields, joining foreign military, paramilitary formations operating outside Bosnia and Herzegovina, and stipulates a minimum sentence of three years.
The law stipulates that anyone who organizes, manages, trains, equips or mobilizes individuals or groups with the aim of having them join foreign military, paramilitary or parapolice formations operating outside the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina in any way will be punished with a sentence of five years in prison.
Gavrilo Stević is the first and only person from Bosnia and Herzegovina to be charged with fighting in Ukraine so far, and he was acquitted of charges before the State Court.
This Court has handed down a series of verdicts for trips to Syria.
