“Doctor Evil” from the investigation of the “Scheme”, which tortured Ukrainian prisoners in Mordovia, was informed of the suspicion

Investigators of the Security Service of Ukraine, under the procedural guidance of the Prosecutor General’s Office, informed in absentia about the suspicion of Ilya Sorokin – identified by “Schemes” (Radio Liberty) as a doctor of colony No. 10 in Mordovia, nicknamed “Doctor Zlo”, who, according to journalistic investigation data, humiliated and tortured Ukrainian prisoners of war and did not provide them with medical care, which in some cases could lead to the death of several prisoners Ukrainians The law enforcement officers qualified his actions under Part 1 of Art. 438 of the Criminal Code as “cruel treatment of prisoners of war.” The notice of suspicion was published on the OGP website on December 2.

The text of the suspicion reads: “I.A. Sorokin, being a paramedic of the branch of the Medical Unit No. 10 of the Medical and Sanitary Unit No. 13, while providing medical services at the “Correction Colony No. 10”, committed cruel treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war. Such actions were expressed in the use and threat of use of physical and psychological violence against servicemen of the security and defense forces of Ukraine, who acquired the status of prisoners of war and were kept in the “Penal Colony No. 10″, for the fact that they had completed military service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and for their participation in deterring armed aggression against Ukraine.”

In the text of the suspicion, the testimony of at least nine former prisoners about violence by the Russian doctor is given. In particular, about his regular use of a stun gun during examinations and other checks – instead of providing medical assistance.

Liability under this article is imprisonment for a term of eight to twelve years.

According to Andriy Yakovlev, a lawyer and an expert of the regional human rights organization, an absentee investigation allows one to record the crime itself, document the circumstances of the case, and evaluate the evidence, since in wartime conditions they can be destroyed and witnesses lost.

“Using the procedures of proceedings in absentia has a practical aspect, because the announcement of suspicion allows the use of criminal procedures to search for such a person in Ukraine and abroad. If the trial moves forward and there is a verdict, it can be brought to execution in other countries. This mechanism (in absentia) allows the state to fulfill its task of investigating war crimes and bringing them to justice, without waiting for the end of the war,” said Yakovlev.

In July 2025, Schemes published an investigation into the systematic torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war in Mordovia colony #10 in Russia. Journalists managed to identify the doctor with the help of testimonies of former prisoners who were held there from February 2023 to April 2025, and open sources – in particular, photos and videos of employees of the medical and sanitary unit that serves the colony.

From law enforcement sources, “Scheme” received data on 177 Ukrainian prisoners of war who managed to return from Mordovian colony No. 10. Journalists spoke with several of them. Former prisoners told about a doctor who mocked them and did not provide proper medical care. The prisoners did not know his real name and only a few of them saw his face, most heard only his voice. They nicknamed him “Doctor Evil” among themselves.

“Schemes” established his identity with the help of the website of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Mordovia – from which they learned that this colony No. 10 is served by a medical unit with the same number, which, in turn, is a branch of the medical and sanitary unit No. 13. Journalists found photos and videos from the events of medical workers with their faces exposed on the pages of the Russian Ministry of Health No. 13 in social networks.

Journalists selected common photos and provided them for identification to about 150 former prisoners. Not all answered, but the majority pointed to one of the medical workers – he was an active participant in trade union demonstrations, and on social networks he was friends with many employees of the Mordovian colony.

The decisive evidence was a video found by “Schemes” from an event organized by medical unit No. 13 and dedicated to the “day of the medical service of the criminal-executive system” of Russia. On it, you can not only get a good look at the doctor, but also hear his voice. After viewing this recording, about half a hundred military personnel interviewed confirmed the identity.

This is Ilya Sorokin, he is 35 years old, he has two children. Previously, on social networks, he openly indicated his place of work – “Medical-sanitary unit-number 13 FSVP of Russia”. In the leaks from Russian bases, “Schemes” found his data on income in this medical sector – in particular, before the full-scale invasion. In 2018, he received almost 560 thousand rubles, and in 2021 – 680 thousand rubles. In terms of dollars, this is approximately 9 thousand per year.

In 2022, Sorokin posted a photo of the certificate on the social network, on which it is indicated that he was awarded “for conscientious performance of public duties and active participation in the life of the team.” The letter clearly states that he works in the medical unit that serves colony No. 10.

Sorokin, according to the investigation, has a typical Russian family: his father is nostalgic for the USSR and Stalin, his sister is the wife of a paratrooper from Tula. Sorokin himself participates in May 9 parades with portraits of relatives, wears a Soviet uniform and “Georgian ribbons.” After the occupation, he visited Crimea. Today, his social networks feature covers with the Z symbol and support for the Russian army.

Journalists contacted Sorokin. When asked about the abuse of Ukrainian prisoners, he answered briefly: “This cannot happen. I don’t work there.”

The fact that Sorokin worked in the colony was confirmed by Tetyana Zhuravlyova, a personnel specialist of the medical unit No. 13. When asked if Sorokin worked there, she said yes, and said he would return to work after his military service.

As the journalists found out, at the end of 2024, Sorokin went to serve. He took the call sign “doctor” and is probably currently serving in the logistical support forces of the Russian army. Meets regularly with colleagues in the medical unit, receiving from them help for the unit – in particular, equipment, medicines and camouflage nets, which, as it turned out, is supplied by his native 10th colony.

In the investigation, the journalists also identified the employees of medical and sanitary unit No. 13, which includes the colony’s doctors. According to the testimonies of the prisoners, not a single doctor there provided them with adequate assistance. Separately, “Schemes” established the identities of those employees of the colony who ensured its work – provided security, looked for personnel, were responsible for discipline and life in the camp. “Schemes” also named the colony’s leadership. It, according to the testimonies of the prisoners, not only knew about what was happening, but probably gave the corresponding orders.

In September 2025, Sorokin was also mentioned in a report published on the website of the United Nations. The testimony of former prisoners against him was collected by the UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Russian Federation, Mariana Katsarova.