SSU has documented war crimes committed by two more ruscist involved in the torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war at russia’s Correctional Colony No. 7 in the Vladimir region.

The suspects are Viacheslav Cherdantsev – a prison medical worker, and Yaroslav Kirilov – an inmate serving a sentence at the facility who collaborates with the prison administration. Since the start of russia's full-scale invasion, the two have systematically tortured Ukrainian defenders held in the prison.

According to the case materials, Cherdantsev deliberately deprived the unlawfully detained Ukrainians of necessary medical care, even after they had sustained serious injuries as a result of cruel torture by the Russians.

In addition, the medic failed to provide prisoners of war with infectious diseases the necessary medications and treatment, and deliberately kept sick prisoners together with healthy ones.

At the same time, Kirilov, together with special forces personnel and prison guards, took part in ‘collective’ beatings of Ukrainian prisoners.

Acting on the instructions of the prison administration, the suspect kept the victims in cells under inhumane conditions, leaving them without food and warm clothing during the cold season.

The investigation established that the perpetrators acted in conspiracy with Oleksii Khavetskyi – the deputy head of the colony responsible for security and operational activities, and Hryhorii Shvietsov – an operational officer. Earlier, SSU had already issued them in absentia notices of suspicion for torturing Ukrainian prisoners of war.

It has been established that such actions by ruscist constitute a gross violation of the provisions of Articles 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 29, 30, and 130 of the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War of August 12, 1949, as well as the provisions of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit any unlawful acts by a state holding persons captive and the creation of a threat to their lives and health.

Based on the evidence collected, including witness testimony and materials collected by journalists from the ‘Schemes’ project, SSU investigators have notified Cherdantsev and Kirilov in absentia that they are suspected of violating Part 2 of Article 28 and Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (war crimes committed by a group of persons acting in concert).

Comprehensive measures are ongoing to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The investigation was conducted jointly with the Criminal Investigation Department of the National Police under the procedural supervision of the Office of the Prosecutor General.