Former Russian mayor, in prison on bribery charges, reportedly goes to fight in Ukraine

Former Vladivostok Mayor Oleg Gumenyuk, who was in prison on bribery charges, has signed a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry and gone to fight in Ukraine, report Kommersant and RIA Novosti, citing sources familiar with the situation.

A photograph published by local media allegedly shows an armed Gumenyuk in military uniform, surrounded by other servicemen.

Gumenyuk served as the mayor of Vladivostok from April 2019 to May 2021. In January 2023, a court found him guilty of bribery and sentenced him to over 16 years in prison. His sentence was later commuted to 12 years’ imprisonment.