Poignant photos of one Russian “torture dungeon” in liberated Kherson have been released by Ukraine – including gas masks and bottles of unidentified liquid. The disturbing discovery was made during a patrol of the city Ukrainethe secret service of the SBU and agents of the national police, who apparently had been tipped off by the local population.
“Local patriots” who “refused to cooperate with the enemy” were interrogated at the facility, the Ukrainian government said.
A spokesperson added: “Residents of Kherson were interrogated and brutally tortured.
“During the inspection, torture law enforcement officers found objects that directly indicate torture.”
There is as yet no indication as to why the gas masks were necessary, while the bottles of liquid are being analysed.
Prisoner wall markers were used to count the days the prisoners were held.
On the wall of the hell room is written of a prisoner: “Pray to God for us. God, give us strength. God, save and protect.”
There was also evidence that the Russians were attempting to dispose of evidence before fleeing Kherson.
“A series of investigative and operational measures are being taken to document all crimes committed by the occupiers, identify the guilty and bring them to justice,” the Ukrainian government said.
Russia was forced into a humiliating retreat by Vladimir Putin’s troops from the provincial capital earlier this month in the face of a vigorous Ukrainian counter-offensive.
A feature of Russian retreats was the discovery of torture chambers used by the occupiers.
There were scenes of jubilation in the streets as control of the city returned to Ukraine.
(Additional reporting by Will Stewart)
(More to follow)