On the 26th of February, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) notified an inspector at Pre-Trial Detention Center No. 1 in Kursk of suspicion for systematically beating Ukrainian defenders during routine cell inspections over several years.

What is known about the suspect

Dmitry Yuryevich Lozhkin (born November 8, 1994) is a russian citizen, originally from the village of Kosorzha in the Shchigrovsky district of russia’s Kursk region. He is registered and resides in Kursk.

He served as an inspector at Federal State Institution “Pre-Trial Detention Center No. 1” of the Federal Penitentiary Service for the Kursk Region — the facility to which russia systematically transferred captured Ukrainian prisoners of war.

Circumstances of the crimes

After being taken captive, Ukrainian defenders were transported to Kursk and held at Pre-Trial Detention Center No. 1, located at 1 Pirogova Street. From the outset, detainees were subjected to systematic physical, psychological and sexual violence during daily morning and evening cell inspections carried out by Lozhkin and other officers.

Investigators documented three specific episodes.

• First episode — January 10, 2023 to August 19, 2024

An AFU soldier captured on February 25, 2022 near the village of Ivankiv in Kyiv region was held at the facility for nearly a year and a half. Throughout this period, Lozhkin repeatedly beat him during cell inspections, striking him with his hands, feet and a rubber mallet on the torso, thighs, ribs and neck.

• Second episode — May 5, 2022 to August 19, 2024

A BRDM gunner captured on March 9, 2022 at a farm in the village of Lukashivka, Chernihiv region, endured systematic abuse for more than two years. During inspections, Lozhkin struck him at least ten times with his hands, feet and a rubber mallet on the torso, back, ribs and legs.

During one inspection, Lozhkin ordered the prisoner to assume the so-called “star” position — facing the wall, arms raised and spread apart with palms outward, legs set as wide as possible. The man collapsed from pain and physical strain. Lozhkin ordered him to stand up and repeat the position, then struck him twice in the groin with the mallet.

• Third episode — August 8, 2022 to August 20, 2024

An AFU soldier captured on April 13, 2022 at the Illich Iron and Steel Works during the defense of Mariupol was held at the facility for more than two years. At least once a month, Lozhkin beat him with his hands and feet, striking his abdomen and legs.

Charges

Lozhkin has been notified of suspicion for cruel treatment of prisoners of war under Part 1 of Article 438 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code.

His actions qualify as inhuman treatment under Article 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and constitute a war crime.