54 torture chambers discovered in liberated territories, more than 5,000 cases of torture recorded

The prosecutor's offices opened 5,079 inquiries into torture and other inhuman treatment amid Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In addition, 855 war crimes against children are being investigated, 10 of which are based on facts of sexual violence.

"The Prosecutor General's Office announced that 5,079 inquiries into torture, infliction of bodily harm, or other inhumane treatment amid Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine have been entered into the unified register of pretrial investigations," Human Rights Centre ZMINA informs, referring to the response from the Prosecutor General's Office.

As noted, 54 places of brutal treatment of the population, so-called torture chambers, were discovered in the de-occupied territories of Ukraine after the retreat of the Russians. Currently, a pre-trial investigation is being conducted in 855 criminal proceedings over war crimes against children related to the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, including 10 cases of sexual violence. In total, the prosecutor's office is investigating 2,415 inquiries into crimes committed against children and in the area of childhood protection.

The Prosecutor General's Office also reported that 54,607 inquiries related to the Russian aggression were registered in the unified register of pretrial investigations as of December 19, including 52,879 – into violation of the laws and customs of war (Art. 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

Human Rights Centre ZMINA notes that law enforcement agencies have established 154 facts of sexual violence against women, children, and men by Russian servicemen in the territory of Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. According to the pre-trial investigation results, charges were brought against six Russian servicemen.

As reported, law enforcement officers established torture sites in four buildings in Kherson on November 21.

ol