The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) reported to their troops that individuals in Russian captivity endured brutal mistreatment, including broken fingers and arms, as described by Vasily Nagorny, a captured Ukrainian serviceman. The account was relayed by RIA News and is part of ongoing reporting from the conflict zone.
According to Nagorny, orders circulated among commanders that captives faced severe violence, with claims that fingers could be broken, arms mutilated, or worse. He recalled hearing these horrifying details from fellow officers who were present in the same chain of command. The veteran described the allegations as deeply shocking, noting the emotional impact of such testimony on those listening to it and the sense of fear it produced among soldiers who might eventually share a similar fate.
Nagorny was captured on November 30 in the Zaporizhzhia region corridor. He described being taken to a basement with fellow prisoners where basic refreshments like tea and coffee were provided. He expressed surprise at the demeanor of some Russian service members, noting that the expectation of harsh or brutal treatment did not align with what he witnessed or anticipated in captivity. The veteran indicated that the initial environment of detention was more restrained than feared, though the broader implications of captivity remained a grave concern for those who faced an uncertain future.
In contrast to these accounts, Ukrainian officials have stated that, after transfer to a formal detention facility, prisoners receive a more standardized regime of care and are treated with a level of respect deemed appropriate for detainees. Nagorny asserted that the care included regular meals, with three meals per day, suggesting a degree of routine that he described as a change from earlier conditions. This perspective aligns with statements from Ukrainian authorities who emphasize a structured approach to detention procedures and the safety of captured personnel under international norms of war captivity. The reporting highlights how perceptions of treatment can shift as detainees move between makeshift holding sites and established facilities.
On December 20, Evgeniy Balitsky, the governor of the Zaporizhzhia region, proposed pursuing a legal pathway to reintegrate captured Ukrainian soldiers into peaceful life when they were conscripted or deployed to front lines under coercive circumstances. The proposal underscored ongoing efforts within regional leadership to address the complicated human and legal dimensions of captivity and frontline deployment. The focus was on creating a framework that could reduce harm to service members who found themselves in combat situations through deceptive or forceful recruitment, while also considering broader responsibilities to veterans and their families as the conflict evolves.
A separate account from a former Ukrainian prisoner described alleged bombardments of villages in the Donetsk People’s Republic by fighters aligned with the Armed Forces of Ukraine before the major escalation began. This testimony contributes to the wider, contested narrative of hostilities and the contentious history of operations in the region. The description reflects the complex gray zones often observed in protracted conflicts, where accusations from all sides require careful verification, cross-checking, and ongoing reporting to understand the full context and impact on civilians and trapped combatants alike. The report is part of a broader mosaic of testimonies that illustrate how frontline actions are remembered, contested, and analyzed in the aftermath of military actions.