Damian Omelyanenko was first detained by Russian military forces on May 24, 2022. Tattoos discovered during the inspection were interpreted as 'symbols of Nazism'. For almost a month, he was illegally held in a basement where he was constantly tortured, including with electric shocks and beatings with sticks. After his release on June 22, 2022, his relatives reported the beatings. Following his release, Damian, his brother, and grandmother were placed under surveillance. Omelyanenko was detained for the second time on November 16, 2022.

Damian was first illegally detained in Melitopol, then transferred to the Simferopol Pre-trial Detention Center No. 1. Later, he was held in an overcrowded cell at the Rostov Pre-trial Detention Center No. 1, together with 27 other prisoners. From April 24, 2024, he was held in Taganrog. During his time in custody, Omelyanenko lost about 30 kilograms due to a stomach ulcer and lack of medical care. In Taganrog, letters from his mother were not delivered to him, creating a complete information vacuum. However, the timeline indicates a possible transfer to Mariupol at the end of 2024, which is why his current location is listed as unconfirmed.

Omelyanenko was initially charged with organizing and participating in a terrorist organization under Part 2 of Article 205.4, Part 2 of Article 205, and Part 3 of Article 205 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. On April 30, 2025, the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Russian Federation approved the indictment in the criminal case against Damian Omelyanenko and Artur Shashenko. At the time of the first hearing, he was also charged with additional articles, including Part 4 of Article 222.1, Part 1 of Article 361, and Part 3 of Article 361 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. However, the specifics of all charges require further clarification.

Along with Damian Omelyanenko, Ukrainians Artur Shashenko and Oleksiy Makarenko are also accused in this case. According to the investigation, in the summer of 2022 Omelyanenko joined a terrorist organization to plan a series of explosions in Berdiansk. Investigators claim that he surveilled the deputy head of the State Road Safety Inspectorate, Oleksandr Kolesnikov, and passed information to him, after which Makarenko detonated an explosive device near the officer’s house as he approached his car. Kolesnikov later died in hospital. The accused are also charged with the murder of Oleh Boyko, deputy head of the occupation military-civil administration of Berdiansk, and his wife Liudmyla, as well as attempted assassinations of the 'military commandant of the city' Artem Bardin and the deputy head of the occupation administration.