The BBC recalls that it is difficult to find your way around the situation in the Russian-occupied part of Ukraine, partly because the people there are afraid of retaliation if they confide their stories. Most of those who managed to escape from Kherson deleted all videos and photos stored on their phones in case they were detained by Russian soldiers at checkpoints. It is therefore difficult to obtain evidence.
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Former journalist of one of the independent media in the Kherson region, Oleh Baturin, told the BBC that he had been abducted by Russian soldiers and imprisoned for a week. During his imprisonment, he heard Russians torturing others and witnessed the young man’s feigned execution.
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“They beat me on the back, ribs and legs … they kicked me and beat me with the butt of a submachine gun,” Baturin said.
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A doctor from Kherson Hospital said he saw signs of electric shock, traces of handcuffing or strangulation, and burns to his hands and feet on duty. “Among the worst were burns on the genitals, a gunshot wound to the raped girl’s head and burns from the iron on her back and abdomen. The patient told me he had two car battery wires attached to his groin and told him to stand on a wet rag,” the doctor said. condition of anonymity.
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In addition, many severely injured people have not been examined because they are afraid to go out, the medic said. According to him, the Russians are “putting psychological pressure” on them.
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Russia has established its administration at the head of the Kherson region since the beginning of the occupation, introduced the Russian ruble in the area and, according to previous warnings from Kiev, could try to organize a referendum on joining the Russian Federation. The pro-Russian leadership also cut off Internet and telephone networks on Tuesday, Ukrainian authorities said.
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In recent days, Ukrainian troops have launched a counteroffensive in the Kherson region. According to Ukrainian Regional Governor Hennadady Lahuta, Ukrainian forces have managed to recapture 20 villages in the north of the area and are advancing further south. About half of the population has left the Kherson region since the invasion, according to Unian Lahuta.
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