A report details the experiences of Ukrainian women detained in Russia, highlighting allegations of torture, forced confessions, and the lack of a mechanism for their release.

Since 2014, Russia has held at least 1,878 Ukrainian civilians, including at least 223 women. While military prisoners are frequently exchanged, civilian detainees often remain in custody with little hope of release. A recent report from The New Yorker highlights the conditions at Rostov pretrial detention center No. 1, where women face accusations of terrorism and treason in Russian courts.

The case of Valentina Zayarnaya

Valentina Zayarnaya, a former English teacher from Amvrosiivka, was arrested after helping Denys Storozhuk, a Ukrainian military officer who had fought at the Azovstal plant. Zayarnaya believed Storozhuk was a civilian acquaintance, but she was arrested by FSB officers after picking up a forged passport for him. She was sentenced to 12 years in prison after signing a confession under duress, which included threats against her son.

Testimony of torture at Izolyatsia

Natalia Vlasova has been in detention for over seven years after being arrested while entering the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic. Vlasova testified in court that she was held at the Izolyatsia secret prison, where she was subjected to months of torture, including electric shocks and physical abuse. Despite recanting her testimony in court and stating it was extracted under torture, she was sentenced to 18 years for crimes including the attempted assassination of her alleged torturer.