Ukraine Identifies 13 Collaborators Accused of War Crimes in Izium for Russian Propaganda

Ukrainian prosecutors have identified 13 pro-Russian collaborators accused of committing war crimes in the town of Izium during its occupation in 2022, according to a statement from Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko on March 13.

“They thought the occupation would hide their faces, but they were wrong,” Kravchenko wrote in a Telegram post, which included photographs of the accused perpetrators.

Izium, a town of approximately 45,000 people before Russia’s full-scale invasion, is located in southeastern Kharkiv Oblast, more than 100 kilometers from the regional capital. Russian forces occupied the town from April 1 until September 10, 2022, leaving behind evidence of widespread atrocities upon their retreat.

After Ukrainian forces liberated the area, investigators discovered a mass burial site containing 447 bodies, according to the State Emergency Service. Most of the exhumed remains were civilians, with only 22 bodies identified as military personnel. Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Synyehubov reported at the time that most victims showed “signs of violent death,” with at least 30 bodies bearing evidence of torture.

According to the prosecutor’s report, the 13 collaborators included 11 soldiers from Russia’s 2nd Army Corps, a deputy from the Russian-controlled so-called “Luhansk People’s Republic,” and the head of the “Union of Cinematographers” from the self-proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic.” These individuals had reportedly defected to Russia following the initial occupation of parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in 2014, establishing a history of collaboration with Russian forces.

The investigation revealed disturbing details about their conduct during Izium’s occupation. Kravchenko reported that the collaborators engaged in systematic looting of local properties and subjected residents to torture. Some victims were reportedly confined in metal containers without access to food or water, while others endured beatings and threats designed to extract information about Ukrainian veterans and military personnel.

In a particularly disturbing development, prosecutors found that the collaborators documented their crimes on video for use in Russian propaganda. Kravchenko stated that these individuals received promotions and rewards from high-ranking Russian officials for producing such content.

One documented victim was a 46-year-old assistant to a deputy at the Izium City Council. “The man was brutally beaten and shot in the face, and his body was dumped near a railroad crossing,” Kravchenko said. “Murders for the sake of Russian propaganda.”

The Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor’s Office has formally notified all 13 suspects of charges including treason and violations of the laws and customs of war. The case represents one of many ongoing investigations into alleged war crimes committed during Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territory.

The Izium mass burial site stands as one of the most horrific discoveries in the war to date. Similar mass graves have been uncovered in other formerly occupied areas, including Bucha and Mariupol, drawing international condemnation and calls for accountability.

This investigation comes amid broader Ukrainian efforts to document war crimes and hold perpetrators accountable. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian prosecutors have opened thousands of war crimes cases, with support from international organizations including the International Criminal Court.

For the residents of Izium, who endured months of occupation, these prosecutions represent a step toward justice, though the trauma of the occupation continues to affect the community. Rebuilding efforts in the town remain ongoing, with significant infrastructure damage and psychological trauma requiring long-term recovery support.