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Over 1,500 Civilians Tortured in Russian-Occupied Kherson, Ukrainian Prosecutors Say
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Ukrainian prosecutors have identified more than 1,500 civilians as victims of torture during the Russian occupation of the Kherson region, according to Oleksii Butenko, head of the department for investigating war-related offenses at the Kherson Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
Speaking to Ukrinform on June 17, Butenko said that Ukrainian law enforcement authorities continue to investigate crimes allegedly committed by Russian military personnel and representatives of the occupation administration.
“Law enforcement agencies are systematically working to establish the facts of crimes committed against civilians during the occupation of settlements in Kherson region,” he stated.
At least 13 detention sites used for torture have been identified across the region—11 located in areas that have since been liberated, and two on still-occupied territory. The highest number of such sites is in Kherson district (7), followed by Beryslav district (4), and one each in Henichesk and Kakhovka districts.
Butenko noted that cases of enforced disappearances, particularly targeting civil society figures such as activists, local officials, volunteers, and journalists, have been documented since the start of the full-scale invasion. Victims were reportedly held in inhumane conditions and subjected to physical and sexual violence.
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“We have recorded systematic cases of forced disappearances. People were held in degrading conditions and tortured. There are documented cases where individuals died as a result,” Butenko said.
He confirmed that about 50 cases of civilian deaths related to torture are under investigation. In three cases, victims reportedly died after their release due to injuries sustained in captivity.
Among the documented incidents is the case of a music teacher in occupied Kherson who continued teaching under the Ukrainian curriculum and refused to collaborate with occupation authorities. In August 2022, she and her husband were detained by Russian troops, taken to a basement facility, and subjected to physical abuse and electric shocks.
“She was beaten on her head, arms, and back, and shocked with wires attached to her chest. She was tortured for her pro-Ukrainian stance,” Butenko explained.
Another case involves a volunteer abducted while delivering food. She was reportedly beaten and held in a small, overcrowded cell for over a month. Before release, she and others were subjected to a mock execution and left in a field.
A businessman from Kherson was detained for allegedly organizing pro-Ukrainian rallies. He was interrogated multiple times, reportedly tortured with electric shocks and sexually assaulted. He was released after a week without explanation or documentation.
Butenko noted that in many instances, victims were coerced to cooperate with the occupation authorities, including educators, law enforcement officers, and local officials.
“In many cases, ransoms were demanded for their release—reaching into the hundreds of thousands of hryvnias,” Butenko said.
He emphasized the need for ongoing psychological and medical support for survivors. Assistance is being provided both in Ukraine and abroad by national and international organizations. The Kherson Prosecutor’s Office also operates a dedicated unit for supporting victims and witnesses.
“Our colleagues assist with documentation, communication, and necessary support throughout the investigation process,” Butenko added.
To date, Ukrainian authorities have identified and issued suspicions against 108 individuals, including Russian military personnel, FSB officers, National Guard members, and others linked to paramilitary formations. Of the 52 criminal proceedings, 49 indictments covering 105 suspects have been submitted to court. Ten individuals have been convicted.
“We are not stopping. The investigation continues. We will do everything possible to ensure that each person who inflicted suffering on our people is held accountable,” Butenko stressed.
In the fall of 2022, Ukrainian forces liberated the western part of Kherson region, including the city of Kherson.
Earlier, Russian forces launched a large-scale attack on Kherson and its surrounding areas, killing one person and injuring at least 12 others. The strikes targeted both the city and regional settlements using a combination of drones and artillery.
