Skip to content
Edit post

AP: Thousands of Ukrainian civilians endure torture and abuse in prisons across Russia and occupied territory

by Rachel Amran July 14, 2023 3:26 AM 1 min read
This audio is created with AI assistance

Thousands of Ukrainian civilians are detained in a network of formal and informal prisons across Russia and the territories it occupies, where they endure psychological abuse, torture, and even slave labor, according to a recent investigation by the Associated Press.

The news agency interviewed individuals associated with the prison network, including 20 former detainees, ex-prisoners of war, families of civilians in detention, and Ukrainian intelligence officers.

These conversations, the AP reported, as well as government documents, satellite imagery, social media, government documents, and copies of letters provided by the Red Cross confirmed a complex Russian system of detention and abuse of civilians in direct violation of the Geneva Conventions.

According to Vladimir Osechkin, an exiled Russian human rights activist, more than 4,000 Ukrainian civilians are reportedly being held in Russia, many without charges. Ukraine's government, however, believes around 10,000 civilians could be detained.

Abuse is rampant and routine across the prison network. Examples of torture endured by former detainees included "repeated electrical shocks, beatings that crack skulls and fracture ribs, and simulated suffocation."

Some Russian-held civilians are used for slave labor in digging trenches for Russian soldiers and mass graves.

Furthermore, a government document obtained by AP suggests that Russia is planning to build 25 new prison colonies and six new detention centers in occupied Ukraine by 2026.

Russia has used the forced deportation of Ukrainian civilians as a weapon of war throughout the duration of the conflict.

Ukraine war latest: Biden says Putin won’t use nukes; US cluster munitions already in Ukraine
Key developments on July 13: * Ukraine receives cluster munitions from US, says commander * Biden: ‘No real prospect of Putin using nukes’ * Ukraine confirms striking on Russian military barrack in occupied Berdiansk * EU parliament adopts plan to increase ammunition production for Ukraine The…


News Feed

4:54 AM  (Updated: )

Russian attack on Kharkiv injures 25.

At least 25 people were injured and more may be trapped under the rubble, local authorities said. Search and rescue operations are ongoing at the building.
5:54 PM

How Trump plans to end Ukraine war, according to Volker.

A few hours after Donald Trump was declared the winner of the U.S. presidential election, the Kyiv Independent sat down with Ambassador Kurt Volker, who served as the U.S. special representative for Ukraine negotiations in 2017-2019, and as U.S. ambassador to NATO in 2008-2009.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.