GWARA Media recorded this material shortly before the Russian army launched its offensive in the Kharkiv region on May 10, 2024. During the occupation of Vovchansk in 2022, Russian forces turned the local aggregate plant into one of the largest torture chambers in the Kharkiv region. The protagonist of the story, Roman, spent several weeks imprisoned at the plant. He was tortured with electric shocks, forced to dig trenches for the Russians, and made to sing the "LNR anthem" several times a day. In June 2024, following the renewed Russian assault on Vovchansk, reports emerged that several dozen Russian troops were trapped at the aggregate plant. According to the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, they were trying to break through but continued to suffer losses. With this video, GWARA aimed to show the torture endured by residents of Kharkiv in 2022 — and how they are trying to reclaim their normal lives.

This video report was produced by GWARA Media.