Torture in Melitopol
Istories released a research on what is happening in the occupied territories to civilians. We know this kind of lawless behaviour of “authorities” from Russia, but still we like to look away – as we do not know how to respond and how to help stop this.
Ihor Kolykhaiev (Mayor of Kherson) – disappeared in summer 2022
A particularly courageous and committed man, Kolykhaiev was elected by the citizens of Kherson. After the military occupation by Russia he continued to perform his duty as an elected official as good as possible. In the summer of 2022 he was detained by the Russian military and disappeared for more than a year. Only in September 13, 2023 he appeared on an official list of Russian prisoners.
Reports from eyewitnesses located him in Russian prisons before. He is reportedly being tortured and abused in captivity. No international indepedent organization is allowed to check what is happening to such people abducted by the Russian military. They are in a lawless situation, without any protection from a rule of law. No lawyers or independent observers are allowed access.
Couple Saksagansky
From the village of Mali Kopani. Killed by Russian soldiers on September 15 2023, leaving a 2-year old orphan behind. Reported by a doctor colleague at the Perinatal Center, where Anastasia Saksagansky worked.
Religious scholar Ihor Kozlovskyi
Prolific scholar, survived captivity in Donetsk torture chambers almost two years.