A Finnish court will announce the verdict for the commander of "Rusich" in March.

The defense team presented its closing statement during the court session. Torden's lawyers demanded his release. The court rejected the request and ruled to keep the Russian national in custody until the verdict is announced. Previously, the prosecution delivered its closing statement. The prosecution demands that Torden be sentenced to life imprisonment.

Torden denies any involvement in war crimes. He explained his presence in Luhansk in 2014 as being for "humanitarian reasons" and a desire to assist local residents. The Russian national also denies ever having held command authority within the "Rusich" group.

Torden, formerly known as Yan Petrovsky, was previously one of the commanders of the radical nationalist group "Rusich," whose fighters participated in combat in Ukraine on the side of Russia-backed separatists and later the Russian army. The prosecution's evidence is based on video recordings made and published by members of "Rusich." Torden is specifically accused of involvement in the murder of at least 22 Ukrainian soldiers who had surrendered.

Torden was arrested in Finland in mid-summer 2023. During the extradition hearing to Ukraine, Torden stated that he wished to seek asylum in Finland. In 2016, the nationalist was expelled from Norway, deemed a threat to national security. He has been included in the European Union's sanctions lists.

• The sabotage and assault reconnaissance group "Rusich" comprises radical nationalists and neo-Nazis and has been participating in the war in Ukraine since 2014. Kyiv accuses the organization of committing war crimes, including torture and murder of prisoners and civilians.