Ukraine war: Records of Russian torment arise in freed regions

War in Ukraine: Records of Russian suffering surface in liberated areas

Russian soldiers were driven out of a region in north-eastern Ukraine as a result of a counter-hostile campaign.

However, in the recently liberated areas, relief and suffering are intertwined because of records of suffering and murders committed under the protracted Russian occupation.
Artem, who resides in the Kharkiv region's Balakliya city, told the BBC that he was tortured with electric shocks while being held captive by Russians for more than 40 days. 

Balakliya was released on September 8 after more than a half year of involvement. The city's police headquarters, which Russian forces were using as a base camp, was the centre of the ferocity.

Artem reported hearing screams of pain and fear coming from various cells.

He claimed that by turning off the loud ventilation system, the invaders made sure the cries could be heard.

He told us, "They turned it off so everyone could hear how people shout when they are shocked with power. "They subjected some of the prisoners to torture every other day... Even the women were subjected to this.

They also did it to Artem, but only once for his particular circumstance.

"They

Valentyna, Petro's mother, watched as the bodies were discovered and pounced on the Russians responsible for her son's death.

She wailed, "I need to ask Putin, why did he shoot and kill my child?

How come? Who asked him to arrive with such threatening weapons? In addition to killing our children, he also slaughtered their mothers.

"I'm a dead lady now. Additionally, I must appeal to all mothers everywhere to reject that professional killer.

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We observed military vehicles bearing the pro-war "Z" image driving directly toward Balakliya, evidently deserted by the enemy.