Attorney Alexander Shadrin believes there are grounds for an appeal

The Barristers Law Firm, known for its complex and high-profile cases that require not only professional competence but also a high level of moral and ethical responsibility, has once again attracted public attention thanks to its partner, shadrin_oleksandr.

Recently, Oleksandr took on the defense of Serhiy Gnezdilov, a serviceman in the Armed Forces of Ukraine who, in 2019, at the age of 19, signed a three-year contract to serve in the 56th Separate Motorized Infantry Mariupol Brigade.
Throughout his service, Gnezdilov actively participated in combat operations and, at the same time, engaged in civic activities during his short leaves: he hosted a podcast on the “Hromadske” platform and helped organize the “Videlka Fest” Ukrainian culture festival in Chornomorsk. However, after his contract expired in March 2022, the situation on the front lines changed, and no clear timeline for his demobilization was ever established.

On September 21, 2024, Serhiy posted a statement on his Facebook page announcing his intention to leave his unit (SZCH) without authorization “until clear terms of service are established, or until his 25th birthday” (it is precisely at this age that conscripts generally become subject to military service, while conscripts of the same age had previously been demobilized). He explained this move as an attempt to draw attention to the problem of one segment of society fighting indefinitely while another avoids mobilization. This statement sparked a lively debate on social media: some supported his position, while many military personnel strongly condemned it.

On October 11, 2024, the Pecherskyi District Court of Kyiv ruled to impose a preventive measure in the form of pretrial detention on Serhiy Gnezdilov.

This case has generated significant public attention, but the main issue remains the legal assessment of Gnezdilov’s actions. The defense argues that his actions fall under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees freedom of expression. Attorney Alexander Shadrin believes there are grounds for an appeal and is currently preparing all the necessary documents to file it.

With extensive experience in cases of public interest, Alexander Shadrin emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations in such situations. He stresses that this is not merely a legal matter, but also a question of how society should treat its military personnel, who are on the front lines, bearing the moral and physical burden of an indefinite war, and who require appropriate recovery of their strength and health. According to him, the Gnezdilov case should be viewed through the lens of moral responsibility—on the part of both military personnel and civilians, as well as the military leadership.