[Donated 700U to Ukraine via Binance, sentenced by Russia—terrorism charges—still in prison😭] Yuri Belenkiy (Yuri Belenky, around 49), an IT specialist, holds a Russian passport and Bulgarian residency status (living in Bulgaria since about 2015, but regularly traveling back to Russia).
Accusations: The Russian Investigative Committee alleges that between January 2023 and March 2024, he transferred more than $700 worth of cryptocurrency to the Ukrainian military and related fundraising projects (including wallets connected to the Azov regiment/brigade, which Moscow designates as a terrorist organization). Some reports mention 15 transfers totaling around 1,680 USDT. He was detained in September 2025 and is still awaiting trial in a Russian prison. The charge is “financing terrorism.”
Role of the exchange: In 2025 (after leaving Russia), Russian investigators sent requests using contact emails that were still listed on the Binance website (case@binanceholdings.ru, reportedly for use by Russian and Belarus law-enforcement agencies). Binance replied at least twice, providing KYC data including the user’s transaction records and identity information (date of birth, address, phone number, passport number), as well as scanned copies of his Russian passport and Bulgarian residence permit. These data were included as evidence in the case.
A Binance spokesperson said: The company does not make or enforce laws in any jurisdiction, does not decide on charges, and does not determine how governments use information. Like other global financial institutions, it cooperates with legitimate information requests from law-enforcement authorities, subject to compliance with applicable laws, privacy, and regulatory requirements. All relevant decisions are made entirely by the authorities.
Accusations: The Russian Investigative Committee alleges that between January 2023 and March 2024, he transferred more than $700 worth of cryptocurrency to the Ukrainian military and related fundraising projects (including wallets connected to the Azov regiment/brigade, which Moscow designates as a terrorist organization). Some reports mention 15 transfers totaling around 1,680 USDT. He was detained in September 2025 and is still awaiting trial in a Russian prison. The charge is “financing terrorism.”
Role of the exchange: In 2025 (after leaving Russia), Russian investigators sent requests using contact emails that were still listed on the Binance website (case@binanceholdings.ru, reportedly for use by Russian and Belarus law-enforcement agencies). Binance replied at least twice, providing KYC data including the user’s transaction records and identity information (date of birth, address, phone number, passport number), as well as scanned copies of his Russian passport and Bulgarian residence permit. These data were included as evidence in the case.
A Binance spokesperson said: The company does not make or enforce laws in any jurisdiction, does not decide on charges, and does not determine how governments use information. Like other global financial institutions, it cooperates with legitimate information requests from law-enforcement authorities, subject to compliance with applicable laws, privacy, and regulatory requirements. All relevant decisions are made entirely by the authorities.