Ukrainian law enforcement authorities have served a notice of suspicion on a former escort guard of the illegal Izolation prison.

He was involved in the torture of unlawfully detained Ukrainians.

The investigation established that he participated in the cruel treatment of prisoners and civilians, violating the norms of international humanitarian law. The Book of the Executioners of the Ukrainian People published an article about the notice of suspicion, marking another step toward holding accountable those involved in operating one of the most notorious Russian torture facilities in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine.

On June 24, 2026, the Main Directorate of the National Police in Donetsk Oblast served a notice of suspicion under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine to one of the prison guards who served in the so-called “Ministry of State Security of the DPR” in the occupied part of Donetsk Oblast and tortured civilians at the Izolation prison.

The Suspect

Mykhailo Volodymyrovych Kulinich (born August 25, 1987) is a native of Donetsk.

He served as a guard at the so-called “MSS of the DPR” base, illegally established by the occupation authorities on the premises of the former insulation materials plant (PJSC Izolyatsia) in the Budyonivskyi district of Donetsk, located at 3 Svitloho Shliakhu Street.

He is already facing another criminal case before the Obolon District Court of Kyiv on multiple serious charges under the Criminal Code of Ukraine, including:

  • creation of a terrorist group or organization (Part 1, Article 258-3);
  • creation of illegal armed formations (Part 1, Article 260);
  • human trafficking (Part 1, Article 149);
  • creation of a criminal organization (Part 1, Article 255).

Circumstances of the Crime

In early October 2017, one of Donetsk’s residents was detained on suspicion of cooperating with Ukrainian law enforcement agencies.

The man was taken to one of the premises of the Izolyatsia prison, where Kulinich personally participated in his brutal torture.

In an attempt to force the detainee to cooperate and obtain a confession, Kulinich first beat him while his hands were handcuffed behind his back.

The victim was then placed on a metal table, taped to it, electrical wires were attached to his toes, and electric current was repeatedly passed through his body for several hours while water was poured over him.

Following this interrogation, the victim remained imprisoned in Izolyatsia until August 2018, where he was systematically subjected to physical and psychological abuse.

In addition, under the threat of being transferred to a cell without sanitary conditions or being deprived of food, the victim was forced to perform various tasks around the Izolyatsia facility, including cleaning the grounds and collecting scrap metal.

Notice of Suspicion

Investigators classified Kulinich’s actions as cruel treatment in the form of torture, constituting violations of multiple provisions of the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of August 12, 1949, and its Additional Protocol.

He has been officially served with a notice of suspicion under Part 1, Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — violation of the laws and customs of war.