438 Ukrainians have died in Russian captivity

438 Ukrainians have died in Russian captivity

The UN has published a report by Mariana Katzarova, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation. The document pays particular attention to the treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian hostages. It reports sexual violence and the ill-treatment of Ukrainians, as well as impunity for those involved in these crimes.

The report's author stresses that torture and ill-treatment of captives are widespread and systematic, and form part of a state strategy of repression at home and aggression abroad. Put simply, the UN has confirmed that Russia is a Gulag state.

The UN also called for an independent investigation into crimes against Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian hostages. In total, 438 Ukrainians—both prisoners of war and civilian hostages—have died in Russian prisons since the start of the invasion. That does not include those executed by Russian troops at the front after being taken prisoner.

Thousands of Ukrainians are being held illegally in Russian prisons. They include prisoners of war who, in violation of the Geneva Conventions, are being tried for taking part in hostilities, and civilians abducted by the occupiers. They spend years in detention without charges or the right to a defense. Simply because they are Ukrainian.

The international community has many ways to exert pressure on Russia over this issue. Ukraine expects its partners to take decisive diplomatic steps aimed at immediately ending the torture of Ukrainians in Russian captivity and securing full information about all Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war held in Russian prisons. Our goal remains unchanged: bringing all our people home.

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