Russian military illegally arrested and tortured residents of Kherson and surrounding areas during its occupation of the region from March to November 2022, Human Rights Watch reports.

The victims and their relatives described the torture and other ill-treatment they suffered in the detention center, the city administration building, the village school and the airport hangar. According to various reports, the detainees were beaten with rubber globes, sticks, electric shocks, death threats and did not receive timely medical treatment.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) recorded the testimonies of 34 people about the harsh treatment of the inhabitants during the Russian occupation in the Kherson region.

Almost all of the torture recorded during the last period of the occupation in Kherson involved people held in solitary confinement on Teplonergetikov Street.

Russian guards in detention centers insulted Ukrainian prisoners, forced them to shout pro-Russian slogans, listen to and sing the Russian national anthem and patriotic songs.

Ukrainian authorities are investigating cases of illegal arrests, torture and other ill-treatment in and around Kherson during the Russian occupation.

Ukrainian authorities estimate that 4,000 to 5,000 cases of civilian detention have been recorded in the Kherson region, but the actual number could be much higher.

Russia has not commented on the allegations.