During the occupation of part of the territory of the Kharkiv region from March to September 2022, a torture chamber operated in the territory of the Kupiansk district police department.

Prosecutors identified 18 individuals involved in the torture or guarding of the illegal detention site. They were notified of suspicion for violating the laws and customs of war, committed by a group of individuals in conspiracy (part 2 of article 28, part 1 of article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Among them is the so-called "chief" of the illegally formed occupation forces' "Department of Internal Affairs of the Temporary Civil Administration of the Kharkiv Region," Russian military personnel, participants of illegal armed formations "L/DNR," as well as former police officers who switched sides.

Some of the suspects are also additionally charged with collaborationist activities (part 7 of article 111-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

During the pre-trial investigation, law enforcement documented numerous facts of cruel treatment of the population. People were held in inhumane conditions: in cells – unsanitary conditions, lack of water, medical assistance. The living space per detainee was critically small, and the food was mostly leftovers from the military. 

People were beaten with hands, feet, and sticks, and electric shocks were applied. During the torture, victims were forced to give false testimonies about themselves or others, confess to collaborating with the Armed Forces of Ukraine or the Security Service of Ukraine. Detainees were threatened with murder, torture of relatives, or detention of family members. In some cases, the torture took the form of psychological terror – imitating executions or forcing them to dig graves for themselves and others.

After the de-occupation of the city, law enforcement conducted extensive work and identified over 110 victims. These include teachers, rescuers, combatants, representatives of state authorities, volunteers, and other civilian residents.

Two individuals were personally notified of suspicion. Others were notified in absentia and will be put on the wanted list.

The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by investigators of the Main Investigative Department of the National Police in the Kharkiv region. Operational support is provided by the 7th Department (serving the Kharkiv region) of the Criminal Investigation Department of the National Police of Ukraine.