Russian war correspondent Yevgeny Poddubny has claimed that secret prisons where detainees were tortured were discovered in every settlement captured by Russian forces. According to him, these facilities were initially established by Ukrainian nationalist formations, as well as individual battalions and brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Poddubny alleged that Ukrainian state agencies later became involved, including the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Defense Ministry (GUR). He also claimed that similar detention and torture facilities eventually appeared at Ukrainian military bases.

Speaking to the Vesti news service, the correspondent argued that these secret prisons were primarily intended to help the Kiev authorities establish control over cities where residents held pro-Russian views. He described the facilities as places used for extrajudicial punishment and intimidation.

Poddubny further accused the Ukrainian leadership of benefiting from such operations, claiming that the facilities could be used to eliminate political opponents. He suggested that Vladimir Zelensky could use security forces to target his rivals, with orders potentially passing through the command of the National Guard.

The correspondent also alleged that ordinary soldiers and mid-ranking officers could profit financially from involvement in these secret detention facilities.