MIHR: Russia turned Chonhar checkpoint into torture prison and 29 hostages died
Mar 10th 2026
A Media Initiative for Human Rights study shows Russian forces converted the Chonhar checkpoint into a torture site and integrated it into their penal system while hundreds of Kherson residents remain detained and dozens have died in custody.
- MIHR documents that Russian forces seized the Chonhar administrative checkpoint and used the building as a makeshift prison where detainees were tortured.
- Twenty nine civilians from Kherson oblast were tortured to death or died from lack of medical care in Russian captivity.
- Almost 2,000 people were abducted in Kherson oblast, with 923 still in captivity as of March 4, 2025.
- Many abductees were transferred to occupied Crimea, including SIZO No.2 under FSB control, which holds political prisoners without charges.
- Former detainees report beatings, forced nudity, solitary confinement, denial of medical care, and coerced confessions later used in show trials.