Amnesty International releases report on torture of Ukrainian prisoners by Russia

According to an Ukrinform correspondent, the AI report is based on interviews with 104 people, including former prisoners of war, and documents crimes against humanity and war crimes in Russian captivity.

The report notes that thousands of Ukrainians, both prisoners of war and civilians, are currently held captive in Russia and the territories it occupies. Most Ukrainian prisoners of war are held incommunicado, and their families receive almost no information about their fate, status, or whereabouts.

“In almost one hundred percent of cases, Ukrainian prisoners of war are held incommunicado. Out of 43 Ukrainian prisoners of war and their families, only five said they had received a letter or phone call, and this was only if the Ukrainian prisoner of war agreed to be interviewed by Russian TV channels,” said Veronika Welch, Director of Amnesty International Ukraine.

At the same time, according to human rights activists, the Russian authorities do not provide international organizations with access to Ukrainian prisoners of war, which is part of a deliberate policy of placing them outside the protection of international law.

Over the past year, human rights activists have documented more than 109 executions of Ukrainian soldiers in captivity and systematic torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russians.

“Almost all of the Ukrainian prisoners of war we interviewed testified that torture is systematic and occurs at all levels: at the “reception” when they are first taken prisoner and continues throughout their captivity. This includes, for example, torture with electric shocks, sexual abuse, etc.”, – said Welch.

In particular, former prisoner of war Volodymyr Shevchenko, who spent more than two years in Russian captivity, told human rights activists about torture and denial of medical care. “They started torturing me right away. They beat me with stun guns, these special sticks that are very painful. I saw how the guys started to die after that. Their hearts just couldn’t take it anymore,” he said.

Former prisoner of war Serhiy Koroma, who was severely wounded before being captured, said that he was only given antiseptic for his wounds.

According to testimonies, in many cases, Ukrainian prisoners of war are punished even for the mere fact of seeking medical care, either for themselves or for other prisoners.

Amnesty International Ukraine reminded that the state registry contains data on about 55 thousand missing Ukrainians, and a significant part of them, according to human rights activists, are in captivity.

“Of the 3,767 prisoners of war who were exchanged and returned to Ukraine, 25% were such unconfirmed persons and subjects of enforced disappearance. Russia deliberately did not pass on any information about the prisoners of war, thus resorting to manipulation and pressure,” Veronika Welch said.

Russia’s treatment of Ukrainian military and civilians in captivity violates the Geneva Conventions and all forms of international law, AI said.

Amnesty International calls on the international community to use all means to bring these crimes to justice, including through the International Criminal Court and the use of universal jurisdiction.

As reported, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets said that more than 16,000 Ukrainian civilians are in Russian captivity.