Ukraine's Torture Cases: 1,401 Investigations and 20 Convictions by 2026

The State of Torture Investigations in Ukraine

According to Главком: As of early 2026, Ukrainian authorities are actively investigating a significant number of criminal cases involving torture allegedly committed by law enforcement officers. According to the Prosecutor General's Office, courts have delivered final verdicts in 20 such cases. Investigators are currently handling 1,401 criminal proceedings on torture, with 704 of these cases initiated in 2025 alone. This high volume of cases highlights a persistent and serious challenge within the country's justice system.

The number of individuals formally suspected in these cases has risen, from 56 in 2022 to 67 in 2025, indicating increased scrutiny of human rights abuses. By the start of 2026, prosecutors had submitted 41 indictments to court. Law enforcement personnel, primarily police officers, account for roughly three-quarters of all suspects in torture cases. In 2025, at least 36 cases involved employees of the penitentiary system.

Regional Breakdown of Cases

The highest numbers of criminal proceedings in 2025 were registered in the following regions:

• Dnipropetrovsk Oblast (91 cases)
• Odesa Oblast (60 cases)
• Kyiv (53 cases)

This regional data points to systemic issues requiring urgent reform. The European Court of Human Rights, in the case of Afanasyev v. Ukraine, found that the state not only employed torture but also systematically failed to punish perpetrators. The names Kaverzin, Afanasyev, and Belousov have become symbols of these systemic failures in Ukrainian justice.

"This concerns the state's fulfillment of procedural requirements in specific proceedings." - Prosecutor General's Office

The ongoing situation underscores profound deficiencies within law enforcement agencies that demand an immediate and robust response. The state's reaction to these problems, including implementing effective oversight and punishment mechanisms, is crucial for improving the human rights landscape. With international organizations closely monitoring the issue, Ukraine must not only enhance internal monitoring but also ensure genuine accountability for those responsible to prevent future abuses.