In the reality of POWs in Russian captivity

the reality of POWs in Russian captivity

Inferno is a project dedicated to documenting and systematising information from open sources about the conditions in which prisoners are held in Russian captivity.

Ukrainian prisoners of war endure systematic torture, psychological abuse, denial of medical care, and starvation in Russian captivity. Each of these practices is part of a deliberate state policy by Russia aimed at crushing Ukrainian resistance and erasing national identity.

At Inferno, we are committed to ensuring that crimes are not forgotten. We collect data, amplify the voices of prisoners, and advocate for accountability. The fight for justice continues — and we will not stop until it is won.

Map

List

Сlick on red-marked locations to uncover what Ukrainian POWs face in Russian captivity.

The map is based on open-source information and data from the Media Initiative for Human Rights

Сlick on a card to uncover what Ukrainian POWs face in Russian captivity.

Russia (RF)

Temporarily Occupied territories (TOT)

Simferopol Pre-Trial Detention Centre No. 1 Makiivka Penal Colony No. 32 Sverdlovsk Penal Colony No. 38 Sukhodilsk Penal Colony No. 36 Kirovsk Penal Colony No. 33 Sokolohirsk (former Pervomaisk) Converted Detention Site Kalinin Penal Colony No. 27 Donetsk Pre-Trial Detention Centre No. 5 Volnovakha Penal Colony No. 120, Olenivka

Russia (RF)

Orsk Pre-Trial Detention Centre No. 2

Temporarily Occupied territories (TOT)

Simferopol Pre-Trial Detention Centre No. 1

Russia (RF)

Rostov-on-Don Pre-Trial Detention Centre No. 1

Voronezh Pre-trial detention center No. 1

Russia (RF)

Voronezh Pre-Trial Detention Centre No. 1

Russia (RF)

Biysk Pre-Trial Detention Centre No. 2

Russia (RF)

Kizel Pre-Trial Detention Centre No. 2

Azov

Lethal Cases

POWs

UN Special Rapporteur says torture of Ukrainian POWs in Russia remains a systematic practice

UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation Mariana Katzarova has published a report titled “Traitors to the Motherland”: the strategy of fear and punishment of the Russian Federation to erase dissent at home and abroad.” Katzarova notes the further institutionalisation of repression in the Russian Federation and its increasingly militarised character. Among other things, the report addresses the fate of Ukrainian prisoners, both civilians and servicemen.

Azov

Exchanges

POWs

Ukraine brings home 270 Ukrainians from Russian captivity, including 35 Azov POWs

On 23 October, 270 Ukrainians were returned from Russian captivity: 261 servicemen and 9 civilians. Those released include members of the Navy, Land Forces, Air Assault Forces, State Special Transport Service, Territorial Defence Forces, Special Operations Forces and Military Law Enforcement Service, as well as the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service and a rescuer from the State Emergency Service.

POWs

ICRC confirms it has had no access to Ukrainian POWs for two years

Russia has denied the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) access to Ukrainian prisoners of war held in Russian detention since 2024. “We can confirm the lack of access to POWs in Russia since 2024,” an ICRC spokesperson told Reuters on September 18.

Lethal Cases

POWs

Citizens of 51 Countries Held as Prisoners of War in Ukraine

Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine have announced the launch of StopRussianRecruiters.org, an information platform documenting and exposing Russia’s deceptive recruitment of foreign nationals into its armed forces. The project also provides information about foreign prisoners of war held in Ukraine and calls on the governments of their respective countries to take diplomatic action to secure their return.

POWs

War Crimes

The UN Security Council holds an Arria-formula meeting on Ukrainian POWs

On August 10, the UN Security Council held an Arria-formula meeting at UN Headquarters in New York, dedicated to Russia's systematic violations of international humanitarian law against Ukrainian prisoners of war, civilian detainees, and foreign nationals. The event was convened by Latvia and the United Kingdom at Ukraine's initiative.

POWs

War Crimes

Russia forms military unit from Ukrainian POWs in violation of the Geneva Convention

Russia has formed a new military unit made up of Ukrainian prisoners of war and former servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The creation of the so-called "First Ukrainian Volunteer Special Purpose Brigade" became known on August 6. The unit was incorporated into the "Volunteer Corps" of Russia's Ministry of Defense.

Azov

Lethal Cases

POWs

UN Special Rapporteur says torture of Ukrainian POWs in Russia remains a systematic practice

Azov

Exchanges

POWs

Ukraine brings home 270 Ukrainians from Russian captivity, including 35 Azov POWs

POWs

ICRC confirms it has had no access to Ukrainian POWs for two years

questions & answers

Inferno is an independent platform documenting prisons where Ukrainian prisoners of war are held by Russia. We collect and systematise open-source data to expose the full scale of abuse and human rights violations.

We rely on verified sources: testimonies of released POWs, investigative journalism, official documents, human rights reports, and open databases.

Yes. If you have credible information about a place of detention or the treatment of Ukrainian POWs, including testimonies, documents, or media, you can submit it through our contact form. You may choose to remain anonymous.

This project is run by a team of human rights defenders, journalists, and volunteers committed to exposing the truth and bringing every POW home.

Spread the word. Share the stories and raise awareness about Russia’s blatant violations of international law. Urge the International Committee of the Red Cross to take decisive action, fulfil its mandate, and gain access to Ukrainian POWs to verify their locations and conditions. Join or organise rallies in your city to remind the world of Ukrainian POWs and the horrific conditions they are held in. Support Ukraine’s defenders, donate to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. A Ukrainian victory is the most effective path to bringing our POWs home.

You can make a difference

Have a question, a message, or something important to share?

Whether it’s information, a concern, or a word of support, we want to hear from you.

Every voice matters.

This is not just a database. It’s a promise

A promise to every prisoner of war that they are not forgotten.

A promise to the world that we will not look away. That we will confront the truth and speak it out loud.

A promise to the future, that the facts will be preserved, that every act of cruelty will be recorded, and that justice, though delayed, will be pursued.

This project is a record, a witness, and a demand. Until every prisoner of war comes home, we will keep telling the world – they exist, they resist, and they matter.