PUTIN'S SHAM

RUSSIA has given 23 captured Ukrainians long prison terms after facing "sham" terror charges.

- BY CHRIS HUGHES

Kyiv has denounced the trumped-up charges as bogus and a violation of international law.

The sentences handed out yesterday ranged from 13 to 23 years.

The accused included 14 current or former fighters of the elite Azov brigade, which Vladimir Putin's regime designated a terrorist group.

There are also nine women and one man who are said to have worked as cooks or support personnel.

Twelve of the defendants were not in court - 11 had returned to Ukraine in prisoner exchanges and were convicted in absentia.

One more died in custody last year.