Russian commander suspected of subordinates' torture in school basement in Yahidne
Kyiv • UNN
A Russian Armed Forces colonel is accused of command responsibility for torturing civilians in Chernihiv Oblast. People were held for 27 days in inhumane conditions without assistance.
A Russian commander has been charged and will be held accountable for the torture of civilians by his subordinates in the basement of a school in the village of Yahidne, Chernihiv region, the Prosecutor General's Office announced on Monday, writes UNN.
369 people in the school basement, 27 days without light, water, or medical care. Ten dead. The investigation established: the commander knew about the crimes of his soldiers and did not stop them. On April 3, 2026... a colonel of the Russian Armed Forces, commander of the 55th separate motorized rifle brigade, was заочно (in absentia) notified of suspicion. He is accused of violating the laws and customs of war.
He is charged under Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), specifically for failing to take measures to prevent and stop the crimes of his subordinates.
According to the investigation, in March 2022, Russian military personnel herded residents of the village of Yahidne, Chernihiv region, into the basement of a local school. 369 civilians, including 69 minors, were held in the locked room for 27 days.
People were kept in inhumane conditions: without sufficient food and water, without medical care, in darkness and unsanitary conditions, under constant threat of violence. As a result, 10 people died.
"The brigade commander was on site, knew about the illegal detention and torture, had the authority to intervene, but did not do so. His inaction is qualified under the principle of command responsibility," the statement said.
The Advisory Group on International Atrocity Crimes (ACA) has been involved in the investigation. The proceedings are built taking into account the practice of the International Criminal Court and international tribunals, the Prosecutor General's Office reported.