Russian troops operated torture chamber for Ukrainians in Belarus in 2022

In the spring of 2022, Russian troops established a torture chamber in Naroulia, a town in Belarus situated near the Ukrainian border. The Belarusian Investigative Center reported that Ukrainian prisoners of war, along with civilians abducted from Ukraine, were subjected to brutal treatment at this facility. The chamber was set up on government-owned property, and Ukrainian human rights activists described the location as one of significant violence, echoing testimonies from former prisoners who described the horrific experiences they endured. The Belarusian government, under Alexander Lukashenko, allowed Russian military operations to use its territory as a staging ground for the invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022. Reports indicated that the Russian military utilized this area not only as a torture site but also as a base for launching attacks against Ukraine. The presence of Russian troops in Naroulia continued until at least early May 2022, raising concerns of violations of international laws, particularly those outlined in the Geneva Convention regarding the treatment of civilians and detention conditions for military personnel. The torture chamber in Naroulia became emblematic of the broader pattern of abuse reported throughout the areas occupied by Russian troops in Ukraine. Similar torture tactics were previously documented in other regions such as Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and the once-occupied Kherson Oblast. The nature of abuses varied but generally included acts of violence against Ukrainians captured during the war. Eyewitness accounts, such as that of Bohdan Lysenko, a captured soldier from the Ukrainian Armed Forces, indicated that torture was systematic, with relentless beatings being a routine practice. The investigation into the torture chamber has implications beyond individual violations, as it highlights a systematic approach to intimidation and control against the Ukrainian populace. International human rights organizations, including the Reckoning Project, have stated that the conditions and treatment observed in Naroulia could constitute serious breaches of international law. As the war continues, the exposure of such atrocities amplifies the calls for accountability and justice for affected individuals and raises global awareness of human rights violations linked to ongoing conflicts. The information released by the Belarusian Investigative Center serves as a crucial reminder of the need for sustained scrutiny of military actions affecting civilians, ensuring that such incidents do not go unpunished in the future.