Ukrainian Woman’s Testimony Exposes Russia’s Brutal Torture Tactics in Donetsk Prison

Natalia Vlasova survived the most brutal torture prison in occupied Donetsk. Now, along with other Ukrainians, she has been sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Natalia’s sister Olena shared her story with Ukrainska Pravda.

Vlasova was accused of terrorism and of allegedly attempting to assassinate Vasily Yevdokimov, known by the call sign Lenin, the head of the special operations forces of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic ( DPR )  and an individual implicated in the torture at ‘Izolyatsia’ chamber.

The 42-year-old Ukrainian woman was detained by members of the DPR at the Olenivka checkpoint in March 2019 on suspicion of collaborating with Ukrainian intelligence services. Following her arrest, she was blindfolded, beaten, and taken to the 'Izolyatsia ' prison in Donetsk, a facility notorious for torture and abuse.

“This place was called a death factory,” Natalia Vlasova testified during a court hearing on June 17, 2024. “Its chief was Yevdokimov. At one point, I begged to be shot while attempting to escape, but no—Yevdokimov responded that I must suffer.”

Vlasova described a series of abuses she endured at the prison. “Yevdokimov personally sawed my teeth with a file, twisted my nipples, and tried to shove a bottle into my vagina,” she said. “Let me remind you, he is considered the ‘victim.’“

Over time, the constant abuse led her to a state of resignation. “During the torture, when it became overwhelming, I reached a point of numb indifference. It no longer mattered what was happening or what would come next.”

Psychological threats added to the trauma. “The worst part was when they said they knew which kindergarten my child attended and threatened to give her a toy filled with explosives. I had no doubt they were capable of carrying out such threats.”

Vlasova testified to being gang-raped by multiple intoxicated men at a time. “They tried to strip me of my humanity and destroy everything human within me.”

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Medical staff were reportedly involved in sustaining detainees for further abuse.

“When I lost consciousness, a doctor revived me with ammonia. On one occasion, they hadn't even finished undressing me or putting me on the table when he shoved a cotton ball soaked in ammonia into my nose. It was impossible to breathe.”

In addition to physical violence, she faced degrading treatment in her daily life. “The smallest of their abuses was serving me food on dirty plates with scraps left over from others or failing to empty the bucket used for excrement in my cell.”

“I can only describe them as maniacs,” Vlasova testified. “Finding pleasure in inflicting pain on a naked, bound woman and engaging in every form of perversion is beyond what any normal person could do.”

Currently, Vlasova is being illegally tried for alleged terrorism at the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don.

The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine reports that at least 71 locations are being used to detain Ukrainians, both in territories temporarily occupied by Russia and within Russia itself, reported Ukrainian ZMINA Human Rights Center on December 13.