Total isolation and sealed windows. Azov member spoke about the conditions of the harshest colony in Russia.

Harsh conditions in Russian captivity: story of a former prisoner of Russia

Artur Niverchuk, a former prisoner of Russia, who was held in captivity for 884 days, shared his experience about the harsh conditions in Russian colonies. In an interview for the Ukrainian National News Agency (UNIAN), he talked about his Time in the most infamous prison - Black Dolphin.

Quote: Before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, very harsh conditions prevailed here. Prisoners sat without daylight - the windows were sealed. They were led with bags over their heads, making it impossible to remember the entire territory of the colony, and they were accompanied by dogs. But later these rules changed, - Niverchuk said.

In the Black Dolphin cells, according to him, there were 20-30 men, and it was the prisoners themselves who distributed the food. The quality of food was low and depended on inspections from Moscow. In addition, Ukrainian prisoners had certain privileges compared to other inmates.

Quote: They paid 2-3 thousand rubles for work. They had to work from 07:00 to 20:00, with a day off only on Sunday. However, if, for example, an inspection from Moscow came on Wednesday, the prisoners did not work while being inspected. However, then they had a full working Sunday. This meant they had to work without days off for several weeks, - he said.

Niverchuk also mentioned the isolation cell, where he was transferred once a month for 10-15 days. In the isolation cell, he was completely isolated, received food through a small cage, and often faced physical violence from the guards.

Quote: They throw you on the floor, twist your arms, beat you on the palms with a taser. They beat your legs, ribs, and bruise your kidneys with batons. There is a special forces officer who wants to show his strength. He asks who you are in life and delivers blows to the liver; just two or three strikes are enough to break you. This is moral pressure, - Chaplya said.

Both prisoners noted that they were often transferred to solitary confinement for their civic activism.