Monitoring of Russian prisons: human rights activists record systemic violations against Ukrainian prisoners

In January 2025, for the first time during the Russian-Ukrainian war, a Russian human rights mission arrived in Ukraine. Not a remote report, not an analysis based on open data — personal visits, meetings, field notes. Following the trip, the Memorial Center compiled a three-volume material titled “Ukraine: War Crimes of Russian Aggressors.” The last part is dedicated to the conditions of detention of Ukrainian military and civilians in Russian colonies, pre-trial detention centers, and prisons — 196 facilities in Russia and another 84 in the occupied areas of Ukraine.

The picture described by human rights activists leaves no room for interpretation.

Yelenovka: The first stop after captivity

In the spring of 2022, two Ukrainian marines from the 36th brigade were captured during the defense of Mariupol. One held the defense at the Ilyich plant, the other at “Azovstal.” They were transferred to IK-120 in Yelenovka — a colony that was practically abandoned at that time.

The prisoners recall: windows without glass, torn-out toilets, lack of water and heating. The first nights — on the concrete floor. Later, mattresses were issued, but there were not enough places: people slept in shifts, sometimes in the corridor.

“Corridors” and torture. Survival diet

According to the testimony of A.A., immediately after getting off the bus, the captives were driven through the so-called “corridor of honor” — blows without pause. Any attempts to look up ended with new beatings.

The diet looked like this: in the morning — boiling water and a piece of bread, for lunch — a quarter of a loaf and half a plate of barley or cabbage, in the evening — the same bread and tea.

Investigators demanded confessions. The main interest — “Azov members.” They had to stand bent over, eyes down. For “unconvincing answers” — strangulation, blows, stun guns.

Pre-trial Detention Center-2 Ryazhsk: “Gentleman’s set”

After being transferred to Ryazhsk, the military was examined by doctors. This was the only procedure resembling a norm. Then the beatings began.

Special forces met the newcomers with a corridor of batons and boots. The interrogation rooms contained a standard set of tools: stun guns, coercion items, informal “methods of influence.”

Interrogations went on daily, sometimes for 14–16 hours. Physical exercises became a mandatory element of torture: if one “did not meet the standard,” the others in the cell were beaten.

IK-10, Mordovia: Constant humiliation

In Mordovia, the scheme was repeated, but harsher. New arrivals were forced to completely undress, followed by a cycle of beatings. The cells were filled with ten people.

Most of the day, people were forced to stand. Time for water or toilet — minimal. Any attempt to disobey ended with punishment.

Pre-trial Detention Center-2 Taganrog: Cold, violence, coercion

Since the spring of 2022, both military and civilian Ukrainians were brought here. They were thrown off trucks, forced to walk blindly — eyes covered, heads down.

According to the released, special forces and FSB officers regularly tortured detainees, demanding false confessions. People were forced to learn military songs, and for mistakes, everyone inside the cell was beaten.

Dampness and cold in Taganrog led to severe complications: frostbite, infections, chronic diseases.

Galich: Continuous interrogations and mockery

In Galich, according to testimonies, interrogations continued all day, without weekends. Beatings were interspersed with humiliation: the report describes cases where chemical substances were used against prisoners.

According to human rights activists, the mechanism of torture remains systemic. It affects both military and civilians, and the geography covers dozens of facilities. The mission’s findings have been submitted to international structures. We continue to monitor the reaction of countries and organizations, as the materials indicate a persistent violation of international humanitarian law — this is reported in detail by the editorial office of NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency.