Moscow arrested in absentia the commander of the Ukrainian Navy, Neizhpapa

The Russians are accusing the commander of the Ukrainian Navy in the case of the explosion on the Kerch Bridge.

A Moscow court has ordered in absentia detention for the commander of the Ukrainian Navy, Oleksiy Neizhpap, in the proceedings regarding the explosion of the Kerch Bridge on July 17, 2023. This is reported by “Crimean Wind”.

Neizhpap is accused of a “terrorist act” and additionally – of organizing drone attacks on Russian regions, in particular the Kursk region. The appeals court upheld the arrest in absentia announced by the capital’s court.

The Investigative Committee of Russia opened a case after the night attack of two surface drones on July 17, 2023. In parallel, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs has again declared Neizhpap wanted.

There has been no official reaction from the Ukrainian Navy and the Ukrainian authorities to these reports as of publication. Neizhpapa has headed the Ukrainian Navy since 2020 (before that, he was the deputy commander for four years). 

As USM wrote, earlier the Ukrainian Navy summed up its annual results. In 2025, military sailors hit Russian tankers, destroyed about 50 sea mines and over a thousand UAVs.