Investigators of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) Department in Kharkiv region, under the procedural guidance of Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office, started a pre-trial investigation into the fact of the capture of civilians in the Vovchansk community by Russian occupiers.

"In the Vovchansk community, during the offensive operations of the Russian army, the occupiers forcibly captured and continue to force people staying in the basement. Local residents were placed in the room on May 11, 2024. Some of them managed to escape on May 13 and reached the volunteers. At the moment, these people are safe," the press service of the prosecutor's office said.

According to the victims, in the basement where they were kept, they heard Russian military personnel talking about how civilians should be shot. People were also forced to provide medical assistance to the occupiers.

"The indicated actions of representatives of the aggressor state are a direct violation of the Convention for the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, signed in Geneva on August 12, 1949, the parties to which are, in particular, Ukraine and the Russian Federation," it said.

A pre-trial investigation was launched under Part 1 of Article 438 (violation of the laws and customs of war) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.