Russian Colonel Tortured Civilians in Kherson - Prosecutors Charge Him

In Kherson region, a Russian military officer headed the so-called commandant's office in Skadovsk district and personally participated in torture and interrogation of local residents.

According to the Kherson regional prosecutor's office, a 41-year-old Russian Guard colonel, the "commandant" of Skadovsk district, organized the illegal detention of civilians in the seized premises of a boarding house and a local police department in March 2022. He personally participated in the torture and interrogation of the victims. Among them was a representative of the local government, from whom the suspect tried to extract information about the work of the municipal guard and persons who owned weapons.

On the order of the suspect, the Russian military tortured other detainees in an attempt to obtain information of interest to the occupation authorities. One of them was beaten until he lost consciousness, and they imitated a shooting with a firearm. Another was tortured to obtain information about ATO participants and the cooperation of locals with the AFU. During the interrogations, they used beatings, electric shocks, kept them in unsanitary conditions without light and furniture, and intimidated them with the death penalty.

Under the procedural supervision of the Kherson Regional and Skadovsk District Prosecutor's Offices, a Russian Guard colonel was identified and served a notice of suspicion in absentia of cruelty to civilians and violation of the laws and customs of war.

Earlier, the 46-year-old deputy of the so-called commandant of Kherson region and two soldiers aged 33 and 39 were also suspected. In the summer of 2022, the suspects detained two men who were held in the basement of the Kherson Court of Appeal in terrible conditions - without food, water, and subjected to physical and psychological violence.

The case of Major General <b>Mikhail Kalupin </b>, commander of the 50th Separate Operational Brigade of the Russian Guard, was also brought to court <b>. </b>He headed the operational command group of the 50th Brigade, which consisted of at least six tactical groups. These units conducted active hostilities in the Kherson region, using military equipment and weapons, which led to numerous civilian casualties, including children.

In addition, based on SBU materials, a Russian general and his subordinates who tortured an ATO veteran during the occupation of Kherson were served a notice of suspicion.

Олеся Ланцман