The Sofia City Court (SCC) granted indefinite custody to two Ukrainian ex-servicemen detained in Bulgaria and currently charged with espionage, according to reports on Friday. The ruling, issued on Thursday, is subject to appeal before a higher court. The SCC panel determined that there was sufficient evidence to support the charges brought against the two men.
Given the severity of the accusations, the court cited a risk that the individuals might abscond or commit further offenses. Should they be convicted, the men face potential sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years in prison, or life imprisonment without commutation. The case proceedings have been adjourned following a motion from the defense requesting medical certification.
The two men were initially detained in Bulgaria near a military installation on January 12, 2026. They have been identified as Oleksiy Timofeev, 41, a former lieutenant in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) who headed an unmanned aircraft systems department before retiring due to injury, and Roman Zozulya, 32, who served in the AFU assault forces before retiring following a high-explosive shell injury to his head. Currently, both men are listed as temporarily residing in Guardamar del Segura, Alicante Province, Spain.
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