Russian Soldier Faces in Absentia Trial for Rape

Survivor of assault was forced to find refuge by hiding in a minefield.

A 22-year-old Russian soldier faces a trial in absentia on charges of raping a woman in July 2022 during the occupation of the Borova community in the Kharkiv region.

Danislan Kuramayev is a serviceman of the 18th Guards Motorised Rifle Insterburg Red Banner Order of Suvorov Division, a tactical unit of the Coastal Troops of the Russian Navy.

Originally from Talas in Kyrgyzstan, he is a citizen of the Russian Federation and registered as living in the Russian city of Kaliningrad. His whereabouts are currently unknown.

Russian forces occupied the Borova community from April 13 to early October 2022. According to investigators, in early July of that year, Kuramayev was traveling with his unit through the villages of the Izium district of the Kharkiv region.

The victim was returning home on her bicycle when a convoy of Russian military vehicles overtook her. Kuramayev noticed her and stopped near a bus stop.

As the woman approached, Kuramayev blocked her way and ordered her to have sex with him, which she refused. He struck her in the head with the butt of his rifle, breaking her nose, and repeatedly punched and kicked her, targeting various parts of her body. Finally, he grabbed the woman by the hair, dragged her into a nearby wooded area and raped her.

The woman managed to break free and take refuge in a minefield. Kuramayev demanded she return, threatening to shoot and kill her, but he did not pursue her into the dangerous area. After waiting for some time, the soldier departed.

Defendant’s Response

Journalists from Slidstvo.Info, who were investigating the case, contacted Kuramayev. The Russian soldier was unaware that he had been formally charged and denied the rape.

“What kind of bullshit are you telling me? I didn’t do anything like that and it couldn’t have happened. Why are you calling me and talking about things that never happened?” Kuramayev told them.

In the summer of 2022, the accused published photographs clearly showing landscapes which artificial intelligence analysis identified as in Ukraine.

“I'm not an occupier, actually. Why did I come to Ukraine? I was there for combat operations and, actually, I didn’t rape any girl,” the Russian commented before hanging up. After that, Kuramayev did not respond to journalists' calls.

The indictment against Kuramayev was submitted to the Dzerzhynsky court in Kharkiv in September 2024. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for February 27 but was postponed at the survivor’s request.

Court officials have indicated that the trial is likely to be held behind closed doors due to the nature of the crime. War crimes cases are sometimes heard in closed session to protect survivors from psychological pressure and stigmatisation, or to ensure the safety of witnesses.

Under international humanitarian law, certain categories of war crimes such as sexual violence should be handled with respect for the survivor’s right to privacy.