The photo with the inscription burned on the body was published the day before by the account Clash Report on the social network X, and Ukrainian intelligence confirmed its authenticity.
The image shows the body of a person with numerous scars and a long incision from chest to stomach. On the right side, the inscription 'Glory to Russia' is burned, and on the left, there is a bruise.
Deputy head of the Coordination Headquarters Andriy Yusov confirmed the authenticity of the photo and said that it was taken by a doctor during the examination of the defender, who could not withstand what he saw. 'Unfortunately, this is a real photo. It is from one of the previous exchanges. The doctor, during the examination in one of the regional centers where the guys undergo rehabilitation, just couldn't stand it, photographed it and posted it online. This is evidence of what our defenders go through in captivity,' he said. He also noted that many soldiers returning from Russian captivity are recorded with critical weight loss. According to the official, Russia systematically violates the conditions of detention of prisoners.
At the end of May, the Associated Press reported that at least 206 Ukrainian prisoners of war had died in Russian detention centers, colonies, and prisons since the start of the full-scale invasion. The cause of death for many of them was mistreatment in detention.
In August last year, the head of the UN mission monitoring human rights in Ukraine, Danielle Bell, reported that 95% of Ukrainian prisoners of war were subjected to torture.