On November 27, 2025, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don delivered its verdict in the case over the bombing of the Crimean Bridge. Eight defendants were sentenced to life imprisonment. Investigators say all of them were linked to transporting the cargo in which the explosives were hidden.
Speaking to Novaya Gazeta Europe, the wife of convicted defendant Artur Terchanyan said they met in Akhalkalaki, Georgia, married in 2005, and have two children. According to her, her husband had worked as a driver since 2008, and in August 2022 he joined a company where he received transport assignments from an employer named Sandro Inasaridze.
She said Terchanyan believed he was carrying construction plastic film on his final trip and did not know the cargo could contain explosives. She stressed that the truck belonged to his employer and that the route was routine: delivery to Armavir and then a return through Georgia with another registered load bound for Armenia.
According to her, nothing seemed unusual before the trip. Terchanyan called his family as he normally did, and on October 8, 2022, he last spoke to her from Vladikavkaz while waiting at the border with Georgia. She said there was nothing strange in that conversation.
Later, a relative told her that Artur was at a police station, though details were initially withheld. She said she remained in contact with him until October 13 and hoped he would be released after questioning. She learned about his detention from the internet. Now, she says, she receives information about him only through his lawyer, who told her that no pressure had been put on him.
“Our only hope is justice. I hope that one day justice will prevail and the truth will win,” Terchanyan’s wife said.
She added that the family is going through severe emotional and financial hardship, although her children, relatives, and friends have supported her. In her view, any driver could have ended up in Artur’s position because he was simply carrying out a transport assignment.