Filter and rule: Inside Russia’s system of abductions and torture in occupied Ukrainian territories
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, thousands of civilians in occupied territories have been detained and subjected to torture, according to a report published on September 23, 2025, by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Filtration System Based on Historical Model
Many detainees were caught in a filtration system modeled on a method Moscow has refined since World War II. Those suspected of disloyalty are sent to filtration camps where they face beatings, torture, and often death. The whereabouts of many victims remain unknown to their families.
The goal of the system is to neutralize potential resistance, intimidate civilians, and recruit potential agents.
Investigations and Reports from the Ground
In January 2025, staff from Russia’s Memorial Human Rights Defense Center visited Ukraine for the first time since the invasion started. They traveled through the Kyiv, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Mykolaiv, and Kherson regions, interviewing residents who experienced occupation or captivity, and documenting damage from Russian shelling.
From this investigation, Memorial published a report detailing Russia’s deliberate policy of state terror, including:
- Indiscriminate attacks on populated areas
- Mistreatment of prisoners of war
- The systematic “filtration” of civilians in occupied territories
Summary
The documented system reveals a state policy designed to suppress resistance and terrorize civilian populations in occupied Ukrainian regions through abductions, torture, and forced recruitment.
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