80% of repatriated bodies from Russian prisons show signs of torture – Interior Ministry
80% of bodies repatriated from Russian detention facilities and prisons show signs of torture.
This was stated by Inna Padey, head of the Department of Forensic Medical Examination of Corpses at the Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination, in the documentary "Return. Killed Heroes", as reported by Ukrinform, Censor.NET informs.
80% of the bodies handed over to us from detention centers, prisons, and similar facilities show signs of torture. But what is torture? Is it the use of physical force, the application of certain instruments, such as those conducting electric current, or the deprivation of basic human needs like food and medical care? Is this considered torture? I believe it is," Padey said.
She identified two categories of repatriated bodies: those brought from the combat zone and those retrieved from Russian special facilities such as prisons, detention centers, and hospitals.
"They arrive not only with signs of decomposition but also in a state of severe critical cachexia—an extreme physiological exhaustion of the body. This occurs when a person is deprived of basic necessities such as food, medical care, and humane living conditions, leading to illness, suffering, and ultimately death," the official added.
According to her, determining the time of death for repatriated bodies is extremely difficult, as they are not delivered immediately after death but after a certain period, which can range from weeks to even years.
In turn, Maksym Tsutskiridze, First Deputy Head of the National Police of Ukraine and Head of the Main Investigation Department of the NPU, assured that NPU investigators are fully engaged in the process of identifying the bodies of Ukrainian heroes—both those retrieved from the front line by their comrades-in-arms and those received by law enforcement agencies through repatriation procedures.
"All criminal investigations into missing persons under special circumstances are conducted by NPU investigators. A case will remain open until the individual is identified," Tsutskiridze stated.
He explained that a report on a missing person can be filed by anyone who has knowledge of a potential disappearance. This could include a military unit commander, a fellow soldier, relatives, or close friends who have lost contact with a service member—anyone with relevant information regarding the disappearance.
