Farmer Appeals 40K Ruble Fine for Shooting at Drone
A 66-year-old farmer from Volgograd Oblast is appealing a 40,000 ruble fine and confiscation of his rifle after shooting at a Ukrainian drone that flew over his village on the night of July 7. The court ruled the shooting was unlawful despite the farmer's claim of acting to protect public safety.
Consensus
- The farmer, Nikolai Mukhin, is from Volgograd Oblast.
- He shot at a drone on the night of July 7.
- He called emergency services (112) before firing.
- The court fined him 40,000 rubles and confiscated his rifle.
- The rifle was a TOZ-34, 12-gauge model.
- The court ruled the shooting violated laws on firing in populated areas.
- The farmer is preparing an appeal against the verdict.
- The shooting did not result in injuries or damage.
Points of divergence
- The farmer stated in an interview with RT on August 18 that he loves Russia and defends it as best he can. — vm
- The farmer said he would continue appealing even if legal fees exceed the fine. — vm
- A separate incident involving a soldier named Chir in Zaporozhye Oblast in spring 2026 is mentioned, where a soldier destroyed a Ukrainian drone with his last bullet after being injured by a mine. — vm
- The court stated that the case materials did not contain evidence of the necessity of Muhin's actions or the existence of danger that could not be resolved otherwise. — riamo
- The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Rosgvardia previously warned that shooting at drones is dangerous because the drone could crash on people or cause destruction. — riamo
Coverage (2 sources)
- Farmer Mukhin appeals fine for shooting at Ukrainian drone — РИАМО
- I love and defend Russia as I can: farmer appeals fine for attempt to shoot down drone — Вечерняя Москва