Life before the detention

Dmytro Shtyblikov was born on November 8, 1970, in the Transbaikal region, but lived in the Crimean Peninsula—specifically in Yevpatoriia—from childhood. After school, he graduated from the Kyiv Higher Combined Arms Command School and served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Due to a severe injury in 2003, he was forced to retire for health reasons.

After his service, he worked at the “Nomos” Center, where he dealt with geopolitics and the security of the Black Sea region. He was a military expert, later led international programs, and held the position of deputy editor-in-chief of the “Chornomorska Bezpeka” (Black Sea Security) journal. He was published in Ukrainian and international media, researched issues of international law and counter-terrorism, and participated in professional conferences.

After the temporary occupation of Crimea began in 2014, he remained on the peninsula.

Persecution

On November 9, 2016, Dmytro Shtyblikov was detained by FSB officers in Sevastopol. His wife was also detained with him and interrogated. For several days, Shtyblikov’s whereabouts remained unknown.

Russian special services claimed that he was allegedly a member of a “sabotage and terrorist group” and planned attacks on infrastructure facilities. In 2017, under pressure and threats to his family, he was forced to enter into a pre-trial agreement with the investigation and “confess” guilt. The case was considered without the examination of evidence.

In November 2017, an occupation so-called court in Sevastopol sentenced him to 5 years in a maximum-security penal colony. After completing this term in 2021, Shtyblikov was not released. On the same day, a new case was opened against him—under the “treason” article. As a result, he was sentenced to an additional 14 years and 6 months of imprisonment.

Behind the bars

After the second sentence, Dmytro Shtyblikov was transferred to a maximum-security penal colony in the Russian city of Omsk. The conditions of detention have significantly affected his health: he developed hypertension, his vision deteriorated, and dental problems arose. Nutrition in the colony remains inadequate, which also affects his physical condition.

Shtyblikov is in almost complete isolation—without the possibility of phone calls or regular communication with his family. He is held alone, has limited access to books, and his daily walk lasts only one hour.

His case is an example of how Russia uses fabricated charges to persecute Ukrainian citizens in the temporarily occupied territories.