Artem Kudzhanov (Russian: Артем Куджанов)
Date of Birth: June 9, 2003
Abducted Since: October 28, 2022
Last Location: Bahachka Village, Luhansk Region
Unlawful Sentence: 12 Years in Prison

Before his imprisonment in Russia, Artem was a student at the Severodonetsk Vocational School (Luhansk Region), training to be an automotive mechanic.

Abduction

On October 28, 2022, armed FSB officers entered the home of Artem and his family. Without giving any reason, they searched the house and took Artem to the local police station. Later, Artem’s parents tried to contact the police to find out where their son had been taken. It wasn’t until July 23, 2024, that Artem’s lawyer confirmed their son’s whereabouts.

Artem is currently being held in Detention Center No. 1 in Luhansk. Criminal proceedings have been initiated against him under Article 207, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Alleged false reporting of a terrorist act”).

In early April 2025, it was announced that Artem Kudzhanov had been sentenced to 12 years in a penal colony.

Health status

It is currently known that his health has deteriorated and he is experiencing gastrointestinal problems.