Journalists exposed a doctor nicknamed Konoval who tortured Ukrainian prisoners of war

Investigative journalists from the “Schemes” project (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) stated that they had identified the Russian medical worker whom Ukrainian prisoners of war called “Konoval.” According to their information, the individual in question is 48-year-old Vyacheslav Cherdantsev, who works at Penal Colony No. 7 in the village of Pakino in the Vladimir Region of the Russian Federation. According to the testimony of dozens of Ukrainians, both prisoners of war and civilians are being held in this very colony. Former captives describe it as one of the most brutal in Russia.

According to them, a system of abuse against Ukrainians has been in place at the colony for years. Prisoners were regularly humiliated, beaten, threatened, and subjected to sexual violence. Such actions are prohibited under international humanitarian law and may be considered war crimes.

One of the people who, according to the released Ukrainians, was part of this system was a doctor in the medical unit, known among the prisoners by the nickname “Konoval.” The Ukrainians gave him this name because of his attitude toward patients. Historically, the word “konoval” meant a veterinarian, but today it is often used as a derogatory term for a negligent or unqualified medical professional.

Former captives told journalists that the doctor not only failed to treat people but also humiliated them himself. According to their testimonies, he forced prisoners to undress, conducted humiliating examinations, compelled them to mimic sexual acts, insulted them, and threatened them with sexual violence. An equally serious problem was the complete lack of medical care.

According to the released Ukrainians, scabies spread in the prison due to the doctor’s inaction. This disease is usually treated quickly, but in Pakino, people could go months without the necessary medication. According to journalists, these conditions led to at least one tragedy. Pavlo Polovyi, a 23-year-old Marine who had defended Mariupol, took his own life on the night of May 30, 2023. According to former prisoners, the soldier could no longer endure the prolonged torture and psychological pressure.

Journalists note that a week before his death, Pavlo managed to tell representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross about what was happening in the prison camp. To identify “Konoval,” journalists spoke with nearly 50 former prisoners who returned from Pakino between 2024 and 2026. Many agreed to speak only anonymously but provided detailed descriptions of the medic’s appearance. Based on these descriptions, the journalists, together with the “Kiborg” community, analyzed the list of staff members at the medical unit of the Federal Penitentiary Service of the Russian Federation in the Vladimir region.

As a result, they identified Vyacheslav Cherdantsev. His archival photographs were shown to the former captives. According to the authors of the investigation, more than 30 Ukrainians recognized him, with most doing so without any doubt. According to “Schemes,” Cherdantsev was born in Kyrgyzstan. There, he began working in the correctional system as a paramedic at a juvenile detention center.

Journalists noted that as early as the 2006 report on this facility, serious problems with medical care were mentioned. In particular, the medical office was often closed, there was a shortage of even basic medications, and the juvenile inmates suffered from infectious and skin diseases. In 2013, Cherdantsev moved to Russia, settling near Pakino, and has been working at Colony No. 7 since 2015. According to the journalists, he is married and has two adult children, both of whom also have medical degrees.

The authors of the investigation reported that they tried to contact Cherdantsev, but he did not respond to either phone calls or messages. During the investigation, the journalists also identified another individual involved in the case: Russian prisoner Yaroslav Kirilov, known among the prisoners as “Yarik.” According to former prisoners, he collaborated with the prison administration, helped torment Ukrainians, and reported to guards those who, in his opinion, violated the established rules. Following such complaints, the prisoners said they were brutally beaten.

Ukrainian law enforcement agencies are already investigating crimes committed at the Pakino prison. In December 2024, the Security Service of Ukraine announced that it had placed one of the facility’s senior officials under suspicion. In 2025, two more prison staff members—the deputy warden and an operations officer—were placed under suspicion. They are accused of torture and sexual violence against Ukrainian prisoners.

Journalists from “Schemes” reported that they have already handed over new materials and evidence they gathered to Ukrainian law enforcement agencies regarding Vyacheslav Cherdantsev, who, according to the investigation, was one of the participants in the systematic abuse of Ukrainian prisoners. This was reported by the “Schemes” Telegram channel.

As a reminder, a Russian strike destroyedthe office of a Kyiv-based children’s book publisher.

Russian troops struck Kharkiv and the surrounding region; four children were among the wounded.