Kathrine Frich
The case of Ilya Sorokin has drawn comparisons to Josef Mengele, the Nazi camp doctor whose abuses became synonymous with medicalised torture.
Ukrainian investigators say that in a modern war, Sorokin played a similar role inside a Russian penal colony, using medical authority, electric shocks and humiliation to break prisoners.
His alleged actions, they argue, show how cruelty can be systematised even under the guise of medical care.
A torturer exposed
Ukrainian authorities have formally charged 34-year-old Ilya Sorokin with war crimes.
This happens after dozens of former prisoners identified him as a sadistic tormentor inside Prison Colony No. 10 in Mordovia, according to reporting by The Sun and Ukrainian security services.
Sorokin, nicknamed “Dr Evil” despite not being a doctor, was first unmasked in July after an investigation involving testimonies from exchanged Ukrainian POWs.
Survivors accused him of delivering electric shocks, severe beatings and sexual humiliation.
The State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and National Police say they have now gathered sufficient evidence to move forward with a case.
“Dr Evil” allegedly carried out his abuses while wearing a white medical coat and a balaclava, creating what victims described as a theatre of cruelty inside the infirmary.
“Pointless sadism”
Ukrainian detainees told investigators that Sorokin singled out prisoners for genital beatings and staged degrading “examinations” before attacking them with a taser.
One SBU report said these shocks left victims unconscious or temporarily paralysed.
Survivors described the torment as “pointless sadism”, recalling how Sorokin “made prisoners bark and crawl like dogs, or crow like roosters.”
Another account claimed: “One POW barked especially well and was made to do so constantly.”
Independent journalists working with nearly 50 former inmates reported similar testimony. Pavlo Afisov, one of the exchanged prisoners, said:
“His favourite question for all of us was, ‘Who are you?’ We had to reply, ‘F*s.’”
Psychological torture
Beyond physical assaults, Sorokin is accused of inflicting psychological abuse, including mock executions and forcing prisoners to sing Russian anthems.
Images circulated by Ukrainian investigators show a man said to be Sorokin wearing medical attire while standing over wounded detainees.
The SBU report further alleged that the paramedic “deliberately left wounded soldiers, who were kept in the cells, without painkillers and bandages.”
One prisoner, Ukrainian soldier Volodymyr Yukhymenko, died after suffering pneumonia, fractures and internal bleeding. Ukrainian officials say the lack of medical care contributed to his death.
Criminal case underway
Sorokin has been notified of suspicion under Part 1 of Article 438 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, covering war crimes and the cruel treatment of POWs.
Ukrainian investigators say nearly all prisoners held in the Mordovia colony during his tenure “reported having been tortured and subjected to relentless physical and psychological violence.”
Despite the charges, authorities say Sorokin remains inside Russian territory.
Ukrainian security services says that they intend to pursue him but must locate him before any prosecution can proceed.
Sources: The Sun, SBU statements
