The Security Service of Ukraine has collected evidence against Volodymyr Bondarenko, the head of the ‘educational work unit’ at russian-controlled penal colony No. 4 in the temporarily occupied town of Sukhodilsk, Luhansk region.

The investigation established that Bondarenko was involved in numerous acts of torture against Ukrainian prisoners of war held at the occupation-run facility between October 2022 and March 2025.

The jail ‘official’ repeatedly beat Ukrainian Defence Forces service members with his hands and feet, used a PR-73 rubber truncheon, and subjected them to electric shocks with a stun gun.

Bondarenko is a local resident who, according to the investigation, supported the ruscists following the occupation of parts of the Luhansk region in 2014.

After russia launched its full-scale invasion, he held a number of positions within the administration of the high-security facility. He initially served as head of the so-called ‘department of educational and psychological work’.

The torture carried out by him resulted in numerous injuries and a significant deterioration in the prisoners’ health. After beating them, Bondarenko deliberately left the wounded in their cells without adequate medical assistance.

These actions constituted gross violations of the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War of 12 August 1949, which prohibits unlawful acts or omissions by a detaining power that endanger the lives or health of prisoners of war.

Based on the evidence collected, SSU investigators notified Bondarenko in absentia that he is suspected of committing an offence under Article 438.1 of the CCU (cruel treatment of prisoners of war).

As the suspect is hiding from prosecution in temporarily occupied territory, efforts to bring him to justice are underway.

The investigation is conducted by the SSU Main Investigative Directorate in cooperation with the SSU Office in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, under the procedural supervision of the Office of the Prosecutor General.