Tetiana Tepliuk’s Memories of Imprisonment
Tetiana Tepliuk, a 74-year-old medic with the Azov unit known by the call sign Khreshchena, has shared harrowing recollections of her eight months in Russian captivity after the fall of Azovstal. For four months, she was held in Taganrog, Rostov Oblast, Russia, where she endured brutal treatment and torture. She describes the conditions as unbearable, marked by constant fear.
Conditions of Detention
Tepliuk stated that prisoners were forced to line up for roll call twice daily. They had to face a wall with their legs spread wide, and punishments for any infraction included physical exercises like planks and push-ups. In the cells, talking or laughing was prohibited, and each day, Russian music—including Soviet patriotic songs and tracks from well-known Russian artists—was played.
Several times a day, the prisoners were made to stand in a row and sing the Russian national anthem. Tepliuk recalled:
'I don’t remember ever feeling such fear in my life. There was a terrible, crushing energy coming from the Russians.'
Despite her age, the Russians showed no mercy toward the medic. They could not understand why someone raised in the Soviet Union did not welcome their arrival.
It has also been revealed that Oleksandr Krokhmalyuk, the head of the medical service for the Azov brigade, was tortured to death in Russian captivity. Tetiana Tepliuk is a witness to the horrific conditions and cruel treatment that continue to provoke public outrage. She received books, but this did little to ease her suffering.
Tepliuk’s testimony underscores the severity of the situation faced by Ukrainian military personnel and civilians in Russian captivity. The appalling conditions and torture she describes have raised alarm within the international community and could serve as grounds for new investigations into crimes against humanity. The situation in Ukraine, particularly in the context of the war, remains a focal point for global media and human rights organizations.
In addition to Tetiana Tepliuk's harrowing account, the plight of Ukrainian medics in Russian captivity has been further highlighted by the tragic fate of Oleksandr Krokhmalyuk, who was reported tortured to death during his imprisonment. These testimonies shed light on the brutal realities faced by those who serve on the front lines, emphasizing the urgent need for international awareness and action.