Unmasking the Prison Doctor
Investigative journalists from the Skhemy project (Radio Svoboda) have identified the prison doctor nicknamed Konoval, who abused Ukrainian detainees at Penal Colony No. 7 in the village of Pakino, Vladimir Region, Russia. The man is 48-year-old Vyacheslav Cherdantsev, who has worked at the colony since 2015. Reports document cases of sexual violence and cruel treatment of inmates under his watch.
Colony No. 7 holds both Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians. Former inmates say that the doctor known as Konoval forced them into humiliating strip searches, made them simulate sexual acts, and threatened them with sexual assault. Medical care was largely absent, leading to a scabies outbreak. One tragic result of this abuse was the suicide of 23-year-old Marine Pavlo Polevyi on the night of May 30, 2023.
Investigation and Former Prisoner Testimonies
Journalists spoke with nearly fifty former prisoners who returned from Pakino between 2024 and May 2026. They described the medic as around 50 years old, tall and large-built, clean-shaven with no beard or mustache, and slightly slanted eyes. Researchers accessed the medical unit staff list with help from the Cyberborhood community. Over 30 former inmates identified Cherdantsev from a photo.
Vyacheslav Cherdantsev was born in Kyrgyzstan and worked as a paramedic at a juvenile colony, where a 2006 report noted the medical unit was often closed and teens suffered from untreated infectious and skin diseases. In 2013, Cherdantsev moved to Russia, settled near Pakino, and has worked at Colony No. 7 ever since. He is married with two adult children, both of whom studied medicine.
- Authorities also identified a repeat inmate named Yaroslav Kyrylov, nicknamed Yarik, who assisted the doctor.
- The government response included announcing suspicions against colony staff members.
In December 2024, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced suspicions against one of the colony’s senior officials in Pakino. In 2025, two more staff members—a deputy head and an operative—were notified of suspicions related to torture and sexual violence. Skhemy journalists also handed new evidence regarding Cherdantsev to Ukrainian law enforcement, which could lead to further investigations and legal consequences.
Identifying Vyacheslav Cherdantsev and documenting former prisoners’ accounts highlights the severity of human rights violations in Russian colonies, especially against Ukrainian citizens. This situation carries significant implications for the international community monitoring human rights compliance, as well as for Ukrainian authorities tasked with responding to these abuses. The reaction of Ukrainian law enforcement may be a crucial step in holding perpetrators accountable and delivering justice for victims.