Sourced fact
The News
Ukrainian prisoners released alongside American Steven Habrd have reported witnessing his torture and humiliation by Russian guards during his four-year imprisonment. According to Dmytro Khlyuk, who met Habrd in the Novotsepkovsk prison in Bryansk in September 2022, the guards would ask about the American prisoner and verbally abuse and threaten him.
Igor Shishko noted that Habrd stood out due to his American nationality, being forced to learn Russian, recite patriotic songs, and adhere to prison rules. Shishko mentioned that Habrd was beaten and subjected to electric shocks by the guards, and highlighted that conditions in the prison were extremely harsh, with guards beating him, withholding food, and denying him medical care.
Habrd was arrested in April 2022 during the Russian occupation of the city of Izyum in eastern Ukraine. He was convicted of serving in the Ukrainian military and sentenced to six years and ten months in prison. According to testimonies from Ukrainian prisoners, Habrd was subjected to torture and sexual humiliation by the guards.
Habrd was released after four and a half years, on the day when US Special Envoy Steve Wiltkov met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg to discuss the war in Ukraine. Wiltkov described Putin as "humanitarian" despite the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. US President Donald Trump said he had asked Putin to release Habrd during a phone call prior to this.
Khlyuk, who was detained in the early days of the Russian invasion, stated that Habrd's health deteriorated significantly during his imprisonment. He mentioned that the guards would frequently bring him to the doctor due to his health complaints. In the next prison, Bakino, Habrd's condition worsened further, suffering from ulcers on his knees and feet.
Khlyuk said that the guards forced Habrd to participate in harsh training sessions and psychological and physical torture, including dealing with guard dogs. He noted that the guards concealed Habrd from the International Committee of the Red Cross to avoid exposing his poor condition.
Khlyuk and Shishko confirmed that the Russian prison was a torture machine, where they were subjected to beatings, hunger, cold, and psychological torture. Khlyuk expressed happiness at Habrd's release but described the timing as "shameful public relations for the American president who is losing votes in the congressional elections." Shishko expressed hope that perpetrators of torture will face justice one day.
Analysis & context
Analysis & Context
Analytically, this case reveals the severity and torture experienced by foreign prisoners in Russian prisons. According to testimonies from Ukrainian prisoners, Habrd was treated harshly due to his American nationality. This reflects Russia's repressive policies towards foreigners and political opponents, where prisons are used as instruments of pressure and punishment.
In a broader context, this case highlights the suffering of Ukrainian prisoners detained during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Many Ukrainian prisoners are subjected to harsh conditions and torture in Russian prisons, raising international concern and calling for improved oversight and legal protection for prisoners.
It is also worth noting that Habrd's release came at a sensitive time in US-Russian relations, as the US president seeks to improve his image ahead of congressional elections. This suggests that humanitarian and rights issues may be used as political tools in diplomacy between major powers.
