Kirovsk Penal Colony No. 33
Donetsk Oblast
Temporarily occupied territories
Penal colony
Active
Kirovsk Correctional Colony No. 33 is a penal institution in Russia where Ukrainian prisoners of war, including Azov servicemen, were held. Testimonies indicate systematic abuse, forced labour in extreme weather conditions, and targeted humiliation of POWs identified as particularly resilient or patriotic.
Testimonies reveal violent and degrading treatment. Abuse was more severe for those perceived as professional or patriotiс, particularly Azov servicemen, Marines, contract soldiers, or anyone speaking Ukrainian or having national symbols. Prisoners reported being shaved completely, including body hair, and mocked, “Because you’re Azov, we’ll shave your eyebrows too”.
POWs reported forced labour in harsh weather without appropriate clothing, including digging frozen ground, uprooting stumps, and hauling heavy metal rails. Guards mocked signs of frostbite, calling prisoners “drunks” for their swollen noses and ears.
No direct information is available regarding the provision or denial of medical care in Kirovsk Correctional Colony No. 33. However, despite the absence of detailed testimonies, it is highly likely that prisoners of war were denied even basic medical assistance.
Nutrition was insufficient and harmful. POWs suffered from chronic diarrhoea and gastrointestinal issues due to spoiled or undercooked food, including raw bread. Severe malnutrition led to physical deterioration, including leg swelling from hunger. One prisoner reported losing 31 kilograms of mass and weighing only 57 kg upon release.
There is limited direct testimony on specific psychological methods used in Kirovsk Colony No. 33. However, forced labour, targeted humiliation and physical degradation contributed to sustained psychological harm.
“They forced everyone to kneel in the snow and shouted, “Are there any officers? This motherf***er goes first!” At that moment, they shoved me from behind. I fell to my knees. Then they grabbed me by the leg, and I fell down. One of them stepped on one arm, the other stepped on the other. After that, I don’t remember anything. They started beating me with batons, and I blacked out” – Anatolii Mikheiev, Azov officer.
“Our legs were swollen from starvation, the lack of protein, and other micronutrients. Because of the poor quality of food and the half-baked bread, prisoners suffered from constant diarrhoea and stomach problems” – Anatolii Mikheiev.
Overview
Kirovsk Correctional Colony No. 33 is a penal institution in Russia where Ukrainian prisoners of war, including Azov servicemen, were held. Testimonies indicate systematic abuse, forced labour in extreme weather conditions, and targeted humiliation of POWs identified as particularly resilient or patriotic.
Torture & Abuse
Testimonies reveal violent and degrading treatment. Abuse was more severe for those perceived as professional or patriotiс, particularly Azov servicemen, Marines, contract soldiers, or anyone speaking Ukrainian or having national symbols. Prisoners reported being shaved completely, including body hair, and mocked, “Because you’re Azov, we’ll shave your eyebrows too”.
POWs reported forced labour in harsh weather without appropriate clothing, including digging frozen ground, uprooting stumps, and hauling heavy metal rails. Guards mocked signs of frostbite, calling prisoners “drunks” for their swollen noses and ears.
Medical Care
No direct information is available regarding the provision or denial of medical care in Kirovsk Correctional Colony No. 33. However, despite the absence of detailed testimonies, it is highly likely that prisoners of war were denied even basic medical assistance.
Food & Sanitation
Nutrition was insufficient and harmful. POWs suffered from chronic diarrhoea and gastrointestinal issues due to spoiled or undercooked food, including raw bread. Severe malnutrition led to physical deterioration, including leg swelling from hunger. One prisoner reported losing 31 kilograms of mass and weighing only 57 kg upon release.
Psychological Pressure
There is limited direct testimony on specific psychological methods used in Kirovsk Colony No. 33. However, forced labour, targeted humiliation and physical degradation contributed to sustained psychological harm.
Testimonies & Reports
“They forced everyone to kneel in the snow and shouted, “Are there any officers? This motherf***er goes first!” At that moment, they shoved me from behind. I fell to my knees. Then they grabbed me by the leg, and I fell down. One of them stepped on one arm, the other stepped on the other. After that, I don’t remember anything. They started beating me with batons, and I blacked out” – Anatolii Mikheiev, Azov officer.
“Our legs were swollen from starvation, the lack of protein, and other micronutrients. Because of the poor quality of food and the half-baked bread, prisoners suffered from constant diarrhoea and stomach problems” – Anatolii Mikheiev.
News
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EU imposed sanctions on the heads and staff of colonies where Ukrainian POWs are tortured
On 13 July, the Council of the European Union adopted a decision imposing restrictive measures on 15 individuals and one entity responsible for violations of the rights of Ukrainian prisoners of war and unlawfully detained civilians. Most of those listed are heads and staff of penal colonies where prisoners are held.
Around 700 Azov POWs in captivity, over 250 already sentenced: presentation of the Civic Evidence report
On June 30, in Kyiv, at Ukrinform, the independent initiative Civic Evidence presented its report "The Honorable Captivity of Azov: How Propaganda, Violence, and Trials Shape the Fate of Ukrainian Prisoners of War in Russia." The study focuses on the situation of Ukrainian prisoners of war from the Azov regiment and exposes a mechanism that combines Russian propaganda machinery, practices of torture, and fabricated criminal prosecution. The authors document the systemic nature of Russia's violations of international humanitarian law and call for strengthening international mechanisms to protect prisoners of war.
Russian medics torture prisoners of war: a new study by human rights defenders
On 24 June, the Center for Civil Liberties presented the analytical study "Anatomy of Torture" in Kyiv. The document examines the role of Russian medical personnel in the torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war and illegally detained civilians.
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