The Security Service of Ukraine told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that the Ukrainian side may detain Bosnia and Herzegovina citizen Selver Khrustich until the end of Russia’s military aggression, who was captured in captivity as a Russian volunteer.
The SBU also told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that they are considering the possibility of handing Khrustich over to the Russian Federation.
“Ukraine may hand him over to the aggressor state upon its appropriate request, within the framework of measures aimed at freeing Ukrainian defenders who are in captivity”
– SBU
The SBU also stressed that information about Ukraine’s cooperation with foreign law enforcement agencies and security services within operational activities is restricted and not subject to disclosure.
The Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Balkan Service that it had not received any official information regarding Khrustich and has no data indicating that any court in BiH has issued a warrant for him.
Context and responses from the parties
In January 2026, United24 Media – the Ukrainian state media platform – published information about a Bosnia and Herzegovina citizen whom Ukrainian forces captured.
In a video released on social networks, Khrustich said that in September 2025 he signed a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow.
“They present it as if we are defending someone in Ukraine. This is propaganda”
– Khrustich, video
According to United24 Media, Ukrainian forces captured Khrustich in January 2026 on the Kharkiv front.
As United24 reported, Khrustich had legal problems in one of the European Union countries. He said that the Russian side promised him a lawyer after completing a six-month contract with the Russian army.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty found that Khrustich is from Zenica, studied in the history department of the Faculty of Philosophy in Sarajevo, and later lived and worked in Germany for a period.
In the video, 35-year-old Khrustich said that the Russian command sends mercenaries to the front with half a liter of water and one or two small cans of meat.
According to him, mortality among Russian mercenaries is very high, and the chances of surviving are minimal. He also said that he received a salary of 210,000 rubles – about 2,300 euros.
The criminal code of Bosnia and Herzegovina classifies participation in foreign armed formations as a criminal offense. It is known that more than 20 citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina have joined the Russian army.