Serguei Gnezdilov, who has transitioned to public SOCH, has had his detention extended.

This was reported by a hromadske correspondent from the courtroom.

The prosecutor noted that law enforcement would not be able to review the materials of the pre-trial investigation before December 9, as determined by the Pechersk court in October. Therefore, he requested to extend the preventive measure for the serviceman until February 9.

At the same time, Gnezdilov's defense opposed the prosecution's motion. As explained by lawyer Anastasia Burkovska, the defense acknowledges that Gnezdilov left the unit without authorization, but does not agree that he committed desertion, as the prosecution alleges.

“Sergey publicly stated that he is ready to return to service, so in our opinion, this is not desertion. His SOCH is a manifesto for the authorities to hear the servicemen about the need for demobilization,” the lawyer added. She believes that the suspicion is unfounded.

Burkovska emphasized that among those wishing to stand surety for Gnezdilov are journalists, servicemen, and public figures. Notably, the director of the film "Vision of a Butterfly," Maxim Nakonechny, and investigative journalist Yaroslav Volvach are included. In total, there were more than 10 people who wanted to become guarantors, but the court rejected their petitions.

Another lawyer argued that the suspect had been hiding after leaving for SOCH. He added that the investigation has already been completed, so his client would not be able to destroy or distort evidence.

Gnezdilov himself stated that he had served for 5 years and then "decided to ask how much longer."

What preceded this?

In September, Sergey Gnezdilov announced that he had left the unit without authorization to draw attention to the lack of established service terms in the army and to the fact that, according to the Constitution, citizens of Ukraine are obliged to defend the state.

In Sergey’s opinion, there is currently no state policy regarding demobilization: “It seems that this war is only for those who once came to it.”

Sergey is convinced that the issue of infantry rest and establishing clear service terms at the front is a “national security issue.” Gnezdilov states that through his actions, he wants to convey to the authorities and society the “necessity of dialogue” and resolution of this problem.

Following this incident, the 56th brigade initiated a service investigation, and law enforcement opened a criminal case under Article 408 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—desertion. Under martial law, this is punishable by imprisonment for a term of 5 to 12 years.

Recall that Sergey Gnezdilov volunteered for the Armed Forces of Ukraine under contract in 2019 and participated in battles in eastern Ukraine. After the announcement of SOCH, the serviceman stated that there are virtually no personnel in his unit: “In my commander’s charge, there are only two other people and me. There are no personnel left. When was the last rotation of the 56th brigade? No one knows the answer because it hasn’t happened.”

Gnezdilov is also a public activist, the founder of the "videlkafest" festival, and was the host of the “++ podcast” on hromadske.