It’s far from perfect justice, but it is a statement of Ukraine’s intent to prosecute war crimes.

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

This week Ukraine put the head of the prison where she was held, Sizo 2 in Taganrog, just over the border from Ukraine, under formal investigation. He is accused of overseeing systematic torture and abuse of Ukrainian captives, including Viktoriia, and is likely to face trial in absentia.

He hasn’t officially declared his candidacy but when I asked him he said “J’y travaille” - “I’m working on it”. If he wins - and that’s a big if - he would lift Emmanuel Macron’s crown as France’s youngest president.

Hats off to our brilliant reporting team @shaunwalker7.bsky.social @manisha.bsky.social @pjotrsauer.bsky.social , our colleagues from Ukraine Tetyana Nikolayenko, Anton Naumliuk, and Artem Mazhulin, and our graphics wizard Lucy Swan.

Thanks also @forbidden-stories.bsky.social for making it happen.

This story can only be told thanks to the courage of those who agreed to relive some of the darkest moments of their lives. Thank you.

In today's report, we go inside one of Russia's worst torture prisons - Sizo 2 in Taganrog.

For months, our reporters have been recording interviews with released prisoners of war to understand what happened here - and to name some of those responsible.

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

Russia is holding thousands of Ukrainian civilians captive. They are local politicians, retired police officers, small business owners, community activists. Anyone likely to oppose the occupation.

They are ghost prisoners. Held without charge, without access to lawyers or to their families.