Russian guards threatened Azov prisoners with physical mutilation, including cutting off ears and noses, to terrify and break them.

They would threaten to cut off ears or a nose, pressing a knife to the ear and starting to cut it slightly, causing bleeding, all meant to terrify and break the prisoners.

How did you get through the explosion in Olenivka? They (the jailers – UP) were walking around very cheerfully before the explosion. And then it happened. There was panic. Or rather, an imitation of panic, I could feel it. It was clear from their behavior that it wasn't ours [who did this], you know? And we could hear where the missiles were coming from. We heard the guys moaning and screaming.