Kherson City Court issued a verdict on June 1, 2026: Vladimir Saldo, the so-called "governor" of the occupied part of Kherson region, received an additional 15 years in prison with confiscation of all property. This is the third in absentia verdict in Ukraine in four years. In total — 45 years.
The Scheme: Orders, Weapons, Barges
The investigation reconstructed the chronology of the robbery step by step. In March 2022, Saldo headed an illegally created Military-Civilian Administration of Kherson region, and in September of that year signed an order to introduce a "temporary administration" at PJSC "Kherson Bread Products Plant" — a strategic port elevator capable of receiving cargo by automobile, rail, and water transport simultaneously.
To manage the captured enterprise, Saldo appointed the head of the occupied sea port. The Ukrainian leadership of the plant was removed from management. At that time, warehouses stored over 30,000 tons of private grain belonging to various Ukrainian companies.
"Witnesses during the trial confirmed that grain began to be prepared for export under the control of armed Russian military personnel."
From court verdict materials, cited by USM
In October 2022, Saldo ordered his subordinates to export grain crops. During October-November, three barges transported approximately 3,000 tons of barley worth nearly 15 million hryvnias to the left bank of Kherson region. The grain was exported while being presented as Russian. After Kherson's liberation, inventory revealed a significant shortage of supplies.
The court qualified Saldo's actions under Part 1, Article 438 of the Criminal Code — a war crime, violation of laws and customs of war.
Who Is Saldo and What Does His Verdict Count Look Like
Saldo is a former People's Deputy and mayor of Kherson who, after the occupation, voluntarily agreed to lead the invaders' administration. In October 2022, he was appointed "temporary acting governor" by Putin's decree.
- November 2023 — Malinovsky District Court of Odesa: 15 years for state treason, collaborationist activities, and justification of Russian armed aggression.
- April 2026 — another 15 years for crimes against national security, including organizing a pseudo-referendum on Kherson region's "accession" to Russia.
- June 2026 — 15 years for war crime (grain theft). The third verdict, which the Office of the Prosecutor General reported on June 16.
Saldo avoided life imprisonment due to his age: the Criminal Code prohibits such punishment for persons who have reached 60 years old. Saldo is 67.
The Scale — More Than One Enterprise
The case involving the bread products plant is just one episode. According to USM citing materials from the Prosecutor General's Office, Saldo is also suspected of creating a broader scheme for embezzlement and export of Ukrainian grain from occupied Kherson region exceeding 5.3 billion hryvnias. Products were transported by automobile and rail to the ports of the temporarily occupied Crimea, as well as to Russia — including to Krasnodar Territory and Rostov Oblast.
A separate indictment for this scheme has already been submitted to court. That means a fourth trial is in the queue.
All three verdicts are in absentia. Saldo remains in the occupied territory and continues to head the administration. If Kherson region is deoccupied or he comes under the jurisdiction of Ukraine or an allied state — the sentence will begin counting from the moment of actual detention. Until then, the 45 years remain on paper.
