A National Guard member who set fire to soldiers' vehicles in Kharkiv has been sentenced to 6.5 years in prison.

A court in Kharkiv found a National Guard contractor guilty of arson by order of Russians, setting fire to three vehicles belonging to Ukrainian Armed Forces servicemen in Saltivka in July 2024.

This was reported by the public organization "Kharkiv Anti-Corruption Center" ( HACC ), as conveyed by "Dumka".

According to HACC, the individual in question is Oleksandr Pashchenko, a serviceman of the National Guard of Ukraine. He was a shooter-paramedic in the 1st section of the 2nd patrol platoon of the 2nd patrol company of the 3rd patrol battalion.

In July 2024, the National Guard member contacted a person via Telegram who offered him a monetary reward of $1,000 for setting fire to military vehicles.

To cover his tracks, Pashchenko rented an apartment in the Saltivskyi district, where he planned to locate the vehicles of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The man purchased a 5-liter bottle of A-92 gasoline at a gas station, paying with his bank card.

On the same day, Pashchenko found three vehicles belonging to servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine along Yubileyny Avenue and Traktorostroiteley Avenue: a Jeep Grand Cherokee, a Volkswagen Transporter T4, and a Nissan Patrol.

The National Guard member sent a video of these vehicles to the client and received approval.

On the night of July 21, Pashchenko set fire to the three vehicles, causing damage totaling 1.11 million UAH.

In court, Pashchenko fully admitted his guilt, expressed remorse, and explained that he had not returned to his military unit after being granted leave in May 2024. He was promised $1,000 for each military vehicle he burned.

The court found the National Guard contractor guilty of arson at the behest of Russians and sentenced him to 6.5 years in prison.