The war with Russia reveals shocking new horrors every day. Their brutality knows no bounds. The cruelty of these terrorists defies any logic or humanity — they seem to find pleasure in tormenting innocent civilians and military personnel. Violating every law of war, they force the world to question not only their morality but also their basic decency. These atrocities must not go unpunished. For the world to be safer and free from the bloodshed of innocent people, we must hold these perpetrators accountable. Punishing violence and cruelty is not just a moral duty — it’s a necessity for a better future.

At Direct Inclusion, we refuse to let these crimes fade into obscurity. We will continue sharing the harrowing stories of Ukrainians who have endured these horrors and who, tragically, continue to suffer to this day.

The Atrocities of Olenivka Prison: The Case of Kirill Shakurov, Sergey Evsyukov, Artem Potapchuk, Vyacheslav Yakurnov, Dmitry Neelov, Vasily Bakalinsky, and Yuriy Dmitrenko

Reports indicate that approximately 90% of Ukrainian prisoners of war and abducted civilians who were held in Correctional Colony No. 120 in Olenivka, Donetsk region, endured torture. The individuals responsible for these atrocities include Russian invaders and collaborators who willingly carried out horrific acts to gain favor with their captors.

After months of investigation, the names of the main culprits have been uncovered. Publications such as The Kyiv Independent and the documentary «Inside a Prison Where Russia Tortured Ukrainian POWs» have brought these criminals to light.

Before the full-scale Russian invasion, militants from the self-proclaimed «Donetsk People’s Republic» controlled the Olenivka colony. After February 24, 2022, the Russian military completely took over. Since then, this facility has been a house of terror, where over 5,000 abducted individuals have been held—among them, the defenders of Mariupol, members of the Azov Regiment, and civilians whose political views clashed with the occupiers’ ideology.

Among the key figures in this torture camp were:

  • Kirill Shakurov – a collaborator and former penitentiary officer;
  • Sergey Evsyukov – a collaborator and head of the colony, previously a Ukrainian law enforcement officer;
  • Artem Potapchuk – assistant to the head of the colony;
  • Vyacheslav Yakurnov – head of the prison’s operational department;
  • Dmitry Neelov – the first deputy head of the prison;
  • Collaborators Vasily Bakalinsky and Yuriy Dmitrenko, who served as guards.

It was also revealed that Kirill Popov, the first deputy chief of Moscow's branch of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia, oversaw the prison’s operations for Ukrainian POWs.

Serhiy Yevsiukov, a collaborator who had previously worked in Ukrainian law enforcement, oversaw a detention center in Olenivka. Denis "Redis" Prokopenko, commander of Ukraine's Azov National Guard Brigade, recalls the terrorist saying, “If you shout “Glory to Ukraine” one more time, I will summon troops and bury everyone beneath the asphalt! There is no such country as Ukraine!”

Yevsyukov was among the first to face consequences for his crimes. A terrorist's car was blown up in the heart of occupied Donetsk, killing the head of the Olenivka prison.

Other criminals will eventually pay for their actions. The Azov commander emphasized that every enemy of Ukraine, including those in the rear, should be constantly fearful for their lives. Retribution for murdered and tortured POWs is unavoidable.

On July 29, 2022, a terrorist attack carried out by the Russians resulted in the deaths of over 50 prisoners of war, with more than 70 others injured. Those who survived have given harrowing testimonies to investigators and the media, describing the relentless torture they endured at the hands of Russian captors. Prisoners were electrocuted, beaten, starved, and psychologically abused. In one instance, 50 people were crammed into a single, damp, moldy cell. Many were beaten severely, denied medical care, and forced to drink industrial water.

The slightest infraction could result in brutal beatings with batons—whether for wearing inappropriate clothing, participating in volunteer efforts, or simply failing to hold a position for hours on end. The prisoners’ daily food consisted of nothing more than water, a single undercooked potato, and sour cabbage. Sleeping conditions were abysmal, with even basic wooden pallets unavailable for everyone.

Female prisoners suffered deeply as well. During inspections, the underwire was removed from their bras, and during their menstrual cycles, they were left to manage without any sanitary products. If any of the women had more than one pair of underwear, the extra pair was confiscated.

Even now, international organizations like the Red Cross cannot access the prisoners because the Russians have completely isolated this area from the outside world.

Despite this, we hold onto hope for the rescue of our fellow citizens. At Direct Inclusion, we work tirelessly to assist Ukrainian law enforcement and international organizations in tracking down and bringing these criminals to justice. We will never forget or forgive the atrocities Russian torturers have committed against the Ukrainian people.

Spread the word about Russia's war crimes using the hashtags #JusticeForUkraine and #Stopruscism, continue to donate, and never lose faith in Ukraine’s victory.

This material was compiled using publicly available internet sources.