In Ukraine, a joint investigation by Schemes, the investigative unit of RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service, and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) has revealed the identity of a Russian prison doctor accused of severe abuse against Ukrainian captives. The investigation identified Vyacheslav Cherdantsev, who has been implicated in numerous accounts of physical and psychological torture, including sexual humiliation and deprivation of medical care. Former inmates described horrific experiences, such as being beaten, forced to crawl, and subjected to forced nudity and sexual abuse. These abuses reportedly occurred at the Pakino prison, where both soldiers and civilians were held during the ongoing conflict. The findings add to the growing evidence of violence against Ukrainian soldiers and civilians during Russia's invasion, highlighting the systematic nature of the abuse. On July 10, 2026, Ukrainian authorities issued an official notice to Cherdantsev, in absentia, suspecting him of cruel treatment and violations of the laws and customs of war. This notice also named two other prison employees and a Russian inmate involved in the abuse, emphasizing the need for accountability for such actions. The investigation sheds light on the dire conditions faced by Ukrainian captives and the urgent need for international attention to the ongoing human rights violations in the context of the war.
