Ukraine finds two Russian servicemen guilty of 'terrorism'

Yevgeny Yerofeyev (L) and Alexander Alexandrov, Russian servicemen arrested last May on terrorism charges related to the separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine, looks from a glass-walled cage during a court hearing in Kiev, Ukraine, April 18, 2016. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

KIEV (Reuters) - A Ukrainian court on Monday sentenced two Russian soldiers captured last May to 14 years in prison for their involvement in the pro-Russian separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Russia denies sending troops to help the rebels and says Alexander Alexandrov and his commander, Captain Yevgeny Yerofeyev, had quit their special forces unit to take part in the fighting on their own initiative.