On June 24, 2026, the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Donetsk Region notified the occupation-appointed head of the pre-trial detention center in Donetsk of suspicion under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine for ill-treatment of civilians.

Who is the suspect

Kovalev Oleg Leonidovich (born April 19, 1977) is a native of the village of Antonivka, Donetsk Region. A former employee of the Ukrainian penitentiary system, he was appointed by the russians as head of the Donetsk pre-trial detention center (SIZO) at 4 Kobozeva Street after the beginning of the temporary occupation.

Circumstances of the crime

The case against Kovalev concerns the period from the end of December 2022 to February 2024.

He is accused of inhumane treatment of civilians held in the pre-trial detention center. Five victims are documented in the case materials.

They stated that the victims were held in cells with constant dim artificial lighting that they were forbidden to switch off, without ventilation, and with high humidity, mold, mildew, and condensation on the walls. The cells were constantly infested with bedbugs, cockroaches, lice, and rats.

The detainees were not provided with sufficient food; their diet consisted of the same low-quality food that was barely fit for consumption, causing some prisoners to lose about 20 kg of body weight. Instead of drinking water, they were often given non-potable technical water, sometimes only once every three days.

Due to the appalling conditions, the victims developed serious health problems. In particular, they were diagnosed with acute respiratory illnesses, bronchitis, thyroid disorders, cardiovascular problems, deteriorating eyesight, and worsening dental health. One of the victims was held in a cell together with detainees suffering from syphilis, HIV/AIDS, and other infectious diseases, and after her release she was diagnosed with hepatitis C.

Suspicion

Kovalev's actions were classified as a war crime consisting of the systematic inhumane treatment of civilians protected under international humanitarian law in the occupied territory.

He was notified of suspicion under Part One of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — violation of the laws and customs of war.

The criminal proceedings were entered into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations under No. 42021000000001580 on July 29, 2021.