torture
Russian occupation of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant: 13 nuclear workers illegally detained over three years
Regarding the illegally convicted nuclear workers, seven of them have received sentences in fabricated criminal cases, three are awaiting "trial," and the fate of another three is unknown, leading them to be considered missing
Over 27% of detainees were women, 20% from vulnerable groups: International Partnership for Human Rights on Kherson Detention Facility
The report of the IPHR is based on the testimonies of 59 victims gathered by human rights defenders during field missions in the Kherson Oblast
Russia continues the Soviet-era practice of destroying Ukrainian identity at the state level – human rights advocates
Human rights activists are certain that in this way, the Russian authorities are committing not only a war crime but also a crime against humanity with elements of genocide
Over 80% of civilian hostages suffered violence while held in Russian captivity
The MIHR, together with the Human Rights Centre ZMINA, analysed the testimonies of 93 civilians released from Russian captivity. Human rights activists interviewed 61 men and 32 women aged between 24 and 60 from various occupations, including civil servants, journalists, volunteers, teachers, and others
Russians dubbed torture ‘lie detector’, ‘gym’, and ‘swimming lessons’ in Kherson Pre-trial Detention Centre – International Partnership for Human Rights reports
The International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) released a new report detailing torture and other inhuman treatment of detainees at a Kherson detention facility
Russian Commander Viktor Bogaturov accused of illegal detention and the torture of civilians in the temporarily occupied Skadovsk
Investigators established that on March 16, 2022, the Russian officer personally beat a victim in the torso and neck
Three years of occupation at Zaporizhzhia NPP: Lack of qualified personnel, poor maintenance, and trials of Ukrainian nuclear power plant workers
Recruited by Russians workers "from the streets" do not know how to operate the equipment present at the NPP. All of this has a significant impact on nuclear safety, which is degrading, as experts, including those from the IAEA, have repeatedly stated
Officer of the Russian National Guard Nikita Osnovin accused in absentia of involvement in the murder of a civilian during the occupation of Kherson
The investigation established that on July 25, 2022, Osnovin, as part of a group of 25 armed servicemen, broke into the private residence of a Kherson resident. The man's home was illegally searched, he was beaten, and taken to the torture chamber. The man was abused and held in inhumane conditions in one of the cells, where he died on July 9, 2022
Russia bears responsibility for the occupied territories – Amnesty International Ukraine
While preparing the report, representatives of Amnesty International Ukraine conducted over 100 interviews with former prisoners of war and their family members. They shared their experiences, memories, and interactions with state and non-governmental organisations
80% of bodies of Ukrainians returned from Russian prisons show signs of torture – Interior Ministry
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a total of 2,000 investigators are investigating 70,000 criminal cases of missing persons
“Broken ribs have already healed, so there’s no point”: what civilians face after captivity and torture to get money and help
ZMINA talked about this with several former prisoners who were abducted during the occupation of Kherson, as well as Olena Belyachkova, coordinator of the groups of families of POWs and missing persons at Media Initiative for Human Rights.
Human rights defender Maksym Butkevych celebrates his third birthday in Russian captivity
ZMINA published the full text of his speech during the cassation hearing of his case by the Russian court, which was recorded by one of the visitors
From Kupiansk to Melitopol: the Russian system of torture in illegal detention centers
ZMINA analysts reviewed the testimonies of victims who were illegally detained by the Russians in various places in the occupied territories between April 2022 and March 2023. Here are the main points from the analytical report
“We were kept in a pit near a petrol station”: a teenager from Kherson region told how he was taken to a torture chamber
The guy was taken to a cell where about 15 people were already there. It looked like some kind of shower room: everything was tiled and there was a drain in the corner. Vitalii was the youngest there.
How Ukraine passes judgment on violations of the laws and customs of war?
ZMINA analyzed how Ukraine tries war criminals and what challenges it faces
Memories of Halyna Haiova, a torture survivor of the infamous Izolyatsia prison
Halyna Haiova, a senior nurse from the city of Dokuchaievsk, Donetsk region, was arrested by representatives of the so-called “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”) at her workplace on October 14, 2016. She was accused of having pro-Ukrainian views and helping the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The woman was held in captivity for nearly sixteen months, most of […]
Forced filming in propaganda: How Russians use civilian hostages to strengthen their power
For the most part, relatives who contacted the ZMINA Human Rights Center complained that the occupiers did not inform them about the circumstances or the detention of their loved ones
Mariupol resident, Mariana Checheliuk’s health deteriorated significantly due to captivity
Mariana Checheliuk, a 24-year-old police officer from Mariupol, has suffered a significant deterioration in her health and immune system due to her extended stay in captivity. In August 2023, she was transferred from a prison in Taganrog to Mariupol, where she is still being held. Mariana’s mother, Natalia Checheliuk, told ZMINA about this. According to […]
Columns
“I hear your anger, your dreams, and your hope”: a letter to a peer under occupation from a 10th grader from the Kherson region
No one should ever be allowed to violate the rights of Indigenous peoples
What does just peace mean for Ukraine and why does Crimea remain a fundamental issue?
“The number is not answering, but I can hear you”: A letter to a peer in occupation from a 10th grade student
