A prisoner was tied to a desk and apparently electrocuted, according to the footage
Ukrainian troops can be seen filming themselves brutally torturing a defiant Russian prisoner of war (POW) who refused to disparage his country and hail Kiev’s military, in a highly disturbing video circulating on social media.
The 90-second undated clip depicting the mistreatment of a POW was filmed by an unidentified Ukrainian soldier stationed in occupied Russian territory, apparently in Kursk Region, and shared by several Russian Telegram channels on Tuesday.
The video shows the interior of an apartment where three handcuffed and blindfolded Russian prisoners are lying or sitting on the floor, while a fourth has been placed in a humiliating position. A fifth soldier, blindfolded, gagged, and stripped of his shirt, boots, and socks, is tied to an upside-down desk in the other room.
Mockingly referring to the prisoners as “Ivans,” one Ukrainian captor asks them why they are silent, before approaching the one tied to the desk. He then removes the gag and asks what unit he belongs to. When he gets no answer, the Ukrainian hits him in the face.
WARNING! GRAPHIC VIDEO
Seconds later, a second Ukrainian soldier, whose face is not shown, starts torturing the Russian POW by apparently electrocuting his feet, as he screams and twitches in agonizing pain. The Ukrainian interrogator then tries to force the POW to say “Glory to the Ukrainian Army” and to disparage Russian President Vladimir Putin.
When the Russian refuses to talk, he is apparently electrocuted and beaten a second time. “F*****g awesome,” the Ukrainian quips. It is unclear whether the rest of the prisoners were subjected to the same treatment.
Since the start of Ukraine’s large-scale incursion into Kursk Region, Russia has repeatedly accused Kiev of targeting civilians and committing war crimes. In March, the UN released a report alleging that captured Russian troops had been tortured and abused while being transported to the rear.
Ukrainian officials claim to have captured numerous Russian soldiers during the attack in Kursk Region. In late August, Moscow got back 115 of its prisoners taken in the area in exchange for the release of the same number of Ukrainian troops.
