 Ukrainian prisoners are forced to dig trenches and mass graves for Russian soldiers. Russia is going to build dozens of prisons to hold both military and civilian Ukrainians. Associated Press reported it with reference to the government document that the agency has at its disposal. The outlet notes that thousands of Ukrainian civilians are held in a network of official and unofficial prisons throughout Russia and in the territories it occupies where they are subjected to torture, psychological abuse and even slave labour. Russia plans to build dozens more such prisons. The agency spoke with numerous people including two Ukrainian intelligence officials, 20 former detainees, former prisoners of war, families of more than a dozen detained civilians and a government negotiator. Their statements along with satellite images, social media, official records and copies of letters handed out by the Red Cross indicate a widespread Russian system of detention and mistreatment of civilians that is blatantly in violation of the Geneva Conventions. The agency says the abuse includes repeated electric shocks, beatings leading to cracks in the skull and broken ribs as well as simulated strangulation. Every form of prisoner interviewed by the agency said torture was a constant occurrence with many reporting witnessing deaths. At the same time Russia does not recognize the fact it is imprisoning civilians. Some prisoners are used for slave labour in digging trenches for Russian soldiers and mass graves. The prisoners serve as future bargaining chips in exchanges for Russian soldiers although international law forbids the exchange of civilians for prisoners of war, the agency notes.