The EU Imposed Sanctions Against ‘Doctor Evil,’ Who Tortured Ukrainian Prisoners

The European Union has imposed sanctions against Ilya Sorokin, identified by Schemes (Radio Liberty) doctor at Colony No. 10 in Mordovia, Russia, nicknamed ‘Doctor Evil,’ who, according to the investigation, humiliated and tortured Ukrainian prisoners of war and denied them medical care, which in some cases could have led to the death of several Ukrainian prisoners. His surname is included in the 19th package of EU sanctions against Russia, under number 1976.

The reasons for imposing sanctions state: “Ilya Sorokin, nicknamed “Doctor Evil”, is a doctor at Penal Colony No. 10 in Mordovia, Russia. Prisoners of war held there report inhuman and degrading treatment, ranging from sexual violence to other forms of physical violence and ideological influence.

Such degrading treatment is a violation of the Geneva Conventions. Ilya Sorokin refused to treat Ukrainian prisoners of war held at Penal Colony No. 10 in Mordovia. He repeatedly tortured prisoners of war with electric shocks, forced them to bark, sing Russian patriotic songs, and subjected them to other humiliating acts.

Ilya Sorokin openly supports Russia’s military past and the ongoing war in Ukraine, and regularly posts nationalist and war-related messages on his social media accounts, including the use of the ‘Z’ symbol. Thus, Ilya Sorokin supports actions and policies that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine.

In July 2025, Schemes published an investigation into the systematic torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war in Colony No. 10 in Mordovia, Russia. Journalists managed to identify the doctor with the help of testimonies from former prisoners who were held there from February 2023 to April 2025, and open sources, including photos and videos of employees of the medical unit serving the colony.

Schemes obtained information from law enforcement sources about 177 Ukrainian prisoners of war who managed to return from Mordovia Colony No. 10. Journalists spoke with several of them. The former prisoners told of a medic who abused them and did not provide adequate medical care. The prisoners did not know his real name, and only a few of them had seen his face; most had only heard his voice. They nicknamed him ‘Doctor Evil.’

Schemes identified him with the help of the website of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Mordovia, which revealed that Colony No. 10 is served by a medical unit with the same number, which, in turn, is a branch of Medical Unit No. 13. On the social media pages of Russian Medical Unit No. 13, journalists found photos and videos of medical workers with their faces visible.

The journalists selected general photos and provided them for identification to about 150 former prisoners. Not everyone responded, but most pointed to one of the medical workers – he was an active participant in trade union protests and was friends with many employees of the Mordovia colony on social media.

The decisive evidence was a video found by Schemes from an event organised by Medical Unit No. 13 and dedicated to the ‘Day of the Medical Service of the Criminal Executive System’ of Russia. In it, the doctor can not only be seen clearly, but his voice can also be heard. After viewing this recording, about fifty of the military personnel surveyed confirmed his identity.

This is Ilya Sorokin, 35 years old, with two children. He previously openly stated his place of work on social media as ‘Medical Unit No. 13 of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia.’ In leaks from Russian databases, Schemes found his income data for this medical unit, specifically prior to the full-scale invasion. In 2018, he received almost 560,000 roubles, and in 2021, 680,000 roubles. Converted to dollars, this is approximately 9,000 per year.

In 2022, Sorokin posted a photo of a certificate on social media stating that he was awarded ‘for conscientious performance of public duties and active participation in the life of the collective.’ The certificate explicitly states that he works in the medical unit that serves Colony No. 10.

According to the investigation, Sorokin has a typical Russian family: his father is nostalgic for the USSR and Stalin, and his sister is married to a paratrooper from Tula. Sorokin himself participates in parades on 9 May with portraits of his relatives, wearing a Soviet uniform and St. George’s ribbons. After the occupation, he visited Crimea. Today, his social media accounts feature covers with Z symbols and support for the Russian army.

Journalists contacted Sorokin. When asked about the abuse of Ukrainian prisoners, he replied briefly: ‘That can’t be true. I don’t work there.’

The fact that Sorokin worked in the colony was confirmed by Tetyana Zhuravleva, a personnel specialist at medical unit No. 13. When asked if Sorokin worked there, she said yes and reported that he would return to work after serving in the army.

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

In their investigation, journalists also identified employees of medical unit No. 13, which includes colony doctors. According to the prisoners’ testimony, none of the medics there provided them with proper assistance. Separately, Schemes identified the individuals who ensured the colony’s operation – providing security, recruiting personnel, and maintaining discipline and living conditions in the camp. Schemes also named the colony’s leadership. According to the prisoners’ testimony, the management not only knew what was happening, but also probably gave the relevant orders.