Two collaborators face charges for torturing and robbing a local civilian
The National Police of Ukraine have served charges of violating the laws and customs of war to two former Ukrainian law enforcement officers who defected to the enemy in Vasylivka, Zaporizhzhia Region. The suspects are the self-proclaimed head of the occupation police department Oleksandr Krylov, known by the call sign Beria, and his subordinate Andriy Kuksa. Investigators established instances of physical abuse, unlawful detention, and looting of a local resident's property. This was reported by Book of Torturers citing Main Directorate of the National Police in Zaporizhzhia Region, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
According to the investigation, Oleksandr Krylov is a former police lieutenant colonel who previously headed the railway station precinct in Yasynuvata. Following the launch of the full-scale Russian invasion, he took charge of the illegally established occupation police department in Vasylivka. In December 2024, the Zavodskyi District Court of Zaporizhzhia sentenced him in absentia to 15 years in prison with asset forfeiture for collaborationism.
The second suspect, Andriy Kuksa, formerly served as a police corporal in the Melitopol regional police department. In October 2025, the same court found him guilty of high treason and sentenced him to 15 years in prison with asset forfeiture.
Investigation Details and Circumstances of the Crime
The incident that formed the basis of the new war crime charges occurred on the morning of 15 May 2022. Krylov and Kuksa, accompanied by at least ten armed Russian servicemen, raided a private house belonging to a civilian in Vasylivka. The owner was dragged from his bed, beaten, and forced outside.
Under Krylov’s supervision, the perpetrators conducted a search of the premises, falsely accusing the resident of looting. During the raid, they stole 3,800 USD in cash, home appliances, garden equipment, power tools, and three bicycles. All the stolen goods were loaded onto a truck and driven away to an unknown destination.
Torture and Detention in Holding Cell
After the robbery, the victim was unlawfully detained and transported to the seized building of the Vasylivka district police department, where he was locked in a temporary holding cell. Throughout his detention, the civilian was subjected to severe physical violence.
Investigators documented that Andriy Kuksa personally interrogated the detainee at least five times. During these sessions, the victim was handcuffed, and Kuksa repeatedly beat him on his back and lower back using tactical gloves reinforced with hard plastic knuckle guards.
The civilian was released only on 2 June 2022. In total, he was held in inhumane conditions in cell number five of the temporary detention facility for 18 days. The actions of Krylov and Kuksa have now been classified under the article on violating the laws and customs of war, as such treatment directly violates the Geneva Convention.
Photo: Book of Torturers
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