On May 15, 2026, the Main Department of the National Police in Kyiv region served notices of suspicion under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine to two russian servicemen accused of illegally detaining and torturing civilians during the temporary occupation of Kyiv region in 2022. One of the victims remains missing.
Who are the suspects
Denis Puzanov, born on April 23, 1999, is a native of the village of Kinel-Cherkasy in Samara region, russia. He served in the 15th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 2nd Combined Arms Army of russia’s Central Military District.
Vladyslav Yefimov, born on February 27, 1998, is a native of Chebarkul in Chelyabinsk region, russia. He served as a tank commander in the 6th Tank Regiment of the 90th Tank Division of the Central Military District of the russian armed forces.
According to investigators, Yefimov has already held the status of an accused under Article 438 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code in another criminal case since April 27, 2023.
Case details
From March 8 to March 29, 2022, russian forces fully controlled the village of Bohdanivka in Brovary district, Kyiv region. Investigators say the troops intimidated local residents, threatened them with violence and murder, controlled their movement, and searched homes.
On March 19, 2022, Puzanov and Yefimov, together with other russian servicemen, allegedly detained at gunpoint two local residents identified as L. (born in 1976) and N. (born in 1995).
The civilians were taken to a basement at 7 Lanova Street in Bohdanivka, where they were held with their hands tied in conditions without heating, ventilation, lighting, or proper sleeping and eating facilities.
According to the investigation, over the following two days the suspects tortured the detainees during interrogations, beating them with their hands, feet, and rifle butts on the head, face, back, stomach, and limbs in an attempt to obtain information about the location and composition of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
After another episode of violence, L. disappeared under unknown circumstances and remains missing.
N. and another unidentified civilian who was also being held in the basement managed to escape.
Charges
Puzanov and Yefimov are suspected of cruel treatment of civilians and other violations of the laws and customs of war committed by a group of persons under Part 2 of Article 28 and Part 1 of Article 438 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code.
Investigators say the suspects violated the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of August 12, 1949, and Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit torture and inhuman treatment of civilians.
Their actions also qualify as war crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
