A Ukrainian court has convicted two alleged Russian special forces troops of crimes including terrorism and sentenced them to 14 years in jail, BBC reports.
The pair – Alexander Alexandrov and Yevgeny Yerofeyev – were captured in eastern Ukraine last May.
Russia denies sending troops to the region and has said the men were volunteers who had left active service.
A fragile ceasefire is in place in eastern Ukraine between the army and pro-Russian rebels.
Last month a Russian court found a Ukrainian, Nadiya Savchenko, guilty of charges relating to the deaths of two Russian journalists. She was jailed for 22 years.
There has been speculation that she may be swapped for the two Russians captured in eastern Ukraine.
During a televised appearance last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the government in Moscow was in contact with the Ukrainian leadership over the issue.
