Ukrainian actor comments on his three-year prison sentence in drunk driving case

“I agree with my lawyer that this is a rather unjust ruling,” Stupka commented on the court's decision to public broadcaster Suspilne on Nov. 24.

“There are many mitigating circumstances. We could have settled for a fine, which would have been more appropriate and fair to the state, because the amount is not small. It is at least UAH 170,000 [nearly $5000]. Nor has the fate of the confiscated property been decided either.”

The defense plans to appeal. For one month, until the verdict comes into force, Stupka will remain under night house arrest.

A 38-year-old man was injured and hospitalized after Stupka drove his Range Rover into a parked Mitsubishi in the Holosiivskyi District in Kyiv on April 4. A breath-alcohol measuring device showed 1.62 ppm of alcohol in the actor's blood. After the accident, Stupka pleaded guilty and promised to help the victim with treatment and recovery.