Ruslan Sidiki

A citizen of Russia and Italy. Lived in Ryazan since 2010. Worked as a plumber.

Arrested in the autumn of 2023. Accused of blowing up a railway line and organizing a drone attack on the Dyagilevo military airfield. Was subjected to torture during the investigation. In the spring of 2025, he was sentenced to 29 years in prison.

2020s

Cases of terrorism

Reading time: 3 minutes.

The final statement

‘The inability to peacefully influence the actions of the authorities, and the criminal prosecution of those who disagree, leads to some leaving the country, while others decide to take action.’

I regret that my actions endangered [Alexander] Bogatyrev, [Sergey] Tarabukin, and [Dmitry] Unzhakov. They were not the target, and I am glad that it did not result in serious harm to their health.

My goal was Russian military equipment and the logistical chains used to move military equipment and fuel to it. In this way, I wanted to hinder military operations against Ukraine.

Of course, any explosion or news of sabotage can frighten someone. Just as the flight of rockets over houses and the beginning of hostilities instill fear in the population of the country against which these actions are directed.

I have repeatedly stated that I had no intention of deliberately intimidating anyone. I chose the targets myself. The military aircraft parking area was attacked with the aim of destroying military aircraft. The train bombing was aimed at disabling the railway track where I detected the movement of military equipment.

I would like to note that I monitored the movement of the train on the track that I blew up and made sure that there was no passenger train traffic. For additional assurance, I had visual contact. If I were indifferent to human life, I could have derailed the train without direct involvement.

I have nothing to do with the attempt to make a new explosive device and blow up another train. The explosion on 11 November 11 2023, caused a lot of noise, and I understood that security measures would be strengthened. Besides, I had enough problems related to my personal life.

I have good feelings towards the Russian population. There are disagreements regarding certain events, starting from 2014, but this is not a reason for me to hate anyone.

The impossibility of peacefully influencing the actions of the authorities, and the criminal prosecution of those who disagree, leads to some leaving the country, while others decide to take action.

In any case, regardless of the severity of the act, the use of torture during interrogation is unacceptable if we live in a state governed by the rule of law. Torturing someone with electric shocks and beating a bound person is an extremely low act. The responsibility here lies not only with those who used these interrogation methods but also with those who know about it and those who do not react and help to cover it up.

Finally, I will read a passage from a poem by Nestor Makhno:

‘Let them bury us now,

But our essence will not vanish,

It will rise again at the right time

And will win, I believe in this.’

Ryazan Garrison Military Court, Ryazan, Russia

23 May 2025

Source: Mediazona

More information about the case: Memorial

Photo: Mediazona