MANIFESTATIONS OF TORTURE OF UKRAINIAN CITIZENS BY THE RUSSIAN MILITARY IN SOME DEOCCUPIED TERRITORIES ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF FORENSIC AND MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS AND IDENTIFICATION OF VIOLENCE VICTIMS AND EXUMBED BODIES

Abstract

The article highlights cases of brutal treatment by the Russian military in February-April 2022 against citizens of the de-occupied territories of Ukraine, which correspond to both the list of physical evidence of torture of the «Istanbul Protocol» and the list of war crimes of the «Rome Statute».
 Aim of the work. Forensic-medical characterization of bodily injuries as manifestations of torture of Ukrainian citizens by the Russian military in de-occupied territories based on the results of forensic investigations of victims of violent acts and examinations of exhumed and identification corpses conducted in 2022.
 Materials and methods. The research material was archival data of the Chernihiv, Kyiv, and Kharkiv regional bureaus of forensic medical examination (SME) related to cases of violent death. Well-known forensic and statistical research methods were used.
 Results. Damages in the form of numerous bruises were found on the corpses of persons from the Chernihiv region who were under the occupation of Russian troops in the period from 27.02.2022 to 01.04.2022, as well as on the bodies of exhumed corpses from the de-occupied territories of Kyiv and Kharkiv regions; stab, stab and gunshot wounds; fractures of the bones of the head and trunk, in particular, tying hands, gunshot wounds in the back of the head, burning bodies.
 Conclusions. Injuries in the form of numerous scars were found on the bodies of persons from the Chernihiv region who were under the occupation of Russian troops in the period from 27.02.2022 to 01.04.2022, as well as on the bodies of exhumed and identification corpses from the de-occupied territories of Kyiv and Kharkiv regions; stab, stab and gunshot wounds; fractures of the bones of the head and torso – are clear physical evidence of torture and mutilation and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment in accordance with the «Istanbul Protocol». The multiplicity of bodily injuries, the peculiarities of their localization and the long duration of their infliction, the similarity between the nature of the injury and the instrument of injury, the binding of the hands, the gunshot wounds in the occipital region of the head, which were found on the exhumed corpses of executed civilians and military personnel and their burning – are expressive manifestations of not only torture, but also evidence of war crimes committed by the Russian military, in accordance with the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.