Valery Panchuk (Rus. Валерий Панчук)
Date of birth: 29 October 1976
Abducted since: 22 August 2022
Last known location: City of Kakhovka, Kherson Region

Valery is a retired former serviceman. Before his abduction by the Russian military, he worked as a dog trainer at the canine training centre of the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Kherson Region. The Russian forces held him in torture chambers in Kherson and Simferopol. Valery was subjected to daily psychological and physical torture.

Abduction

Valery was abducted by the Russian military on 22 August 2022 in the city of Kakhovka in the Kherson Region. The Russian occupiers recorded several videos of Valery in which they accused him of sabotage against Russia. These propaganda videos were later broadcast by the Russian state propaganda outlet “RIA Novosti”.

Valery was held in detention facilities in Beryslav, Hola Prystan (Kherson Region), and Simferopol (Crimea). No criminal proceedings were initiated against him. His family does not know his current whereabouts. They suspect that Valery is being held in Pre-Trial Detention Centre No. 2 in the city of Simferopol (Crimean Peninsula).

Health Status

Valery has a hearing impairment and had previously undergone surgery on both legs. After his abduction, he was held in a torture chamber in Beryslav (Kherson Region), where he sustained a concussion, bruised ribs, and head injuries as a result of an explosion. No information is available regarding Valery’s current state of health.

Status: April 2025