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

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

Russia (RF)

Kamensk-Shakhtinsky Penal Colony No. 12

The leaving of Azov soldiers from the Azovstal plant

Media

POWs

War Crimes

“Honorable Captivity” of Azov: Civic Evidence Publishes Report on the Fate of Azov Fighters in Russian Captivity

The independent initiative Civic Evidence has released a comprehensive report titled “‘Honorable Captivity’ of Azov: The System of Propaganda, Violence, and Criminal Prosecution of Servicemembers of the National Guard of Ukraine in the Russian Federation.” The report details the fate of the «Azov» service members in Russian captivity, illustrating how propaganda narratives, systemic violence, and the Russian judicial system cooperate to construct a negative image of the fighters and justify their heinous mistreatment.

Media

POWs

War Crimes

“Made in Russia. Delivered to Captivity”: Project on Russia’s Crimes Against POWs Presented in Kyiv

The project "Made in Russia. Delivered to Captivity" was presented in Kyiv. The event marks the 4th anniversary of the Mariupol garrison's withdrawal from "Azovstal" after 86 days of heroic defense of the city. Back then, under the provided guarantees, the defenders of Mariupol fulfilled the order of the higher command to save lives. However, the Russian Federation violated these guarantees—the majority of the "Azovstal" defenders are now in their fifth year of suffering from daily crimes in Russian captivity.

a wall with a Russian-language inscription saying: “it’s not a war crime if you had fun”

Lethal Cases

POWs

War Crimes

“It’s Not a War Crime If You Had Fun”: Execution of POWs as Russian State Policy

The execution and torture of prisoners of war is a Kremlin state policy, honed over decades of wars of conquest. In the course of the Russia-Ukraine war, the Russian military has taken its most brutal practices to a new level on a horrifying scale. As of the end of 2025, the Russians had executed at least 337 Ukrainian prisoners of war — a grave war crime.

POWs

Amnesty International Report: Executions and Torture of Ukrainian Prisoners of War Continue

Amnesty International has published its annual report on the human rights situation in the world for 2025. The section on Ukraine highlights, among other things, that Ukrainian prisoners of war and detained civilians were subjected to torture and ill-treatment while in Russian captivity. The organization notes that as of December 10, 2025, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine had recorded 322 cases of execution of captured Ukrainian servicemembers by Russian forces.

Exchanges

POWs

Second Stage of the Easter Prisoner Exchange: 193 Ukrainians Home

On April 24, 2026, the second stage of the Easter prisoner of war exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place, resulting in the return of 193 Ukrainian defenders. These are representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including a significant number of paratroopers. Also returning home are fighters from the Naval Forces, Territorial Defense Forces, National Guard of Ukraine, National Police, State Border Guard Service, and the State Special Transport Service.

Azov

Exchanges

POWs

Pre-Easter Exchange: 182 Ukrainians Return from Captivity

On April 11, 2026, on the eve of Eastern Christian Easter, Ukraine managed to return 172 servicemen and 7 civilians from Russian captivity. Among those released are privates, sergeants, and officers, the majority of whom were taken prisoner as far back as 2022. The youngest of the freed is 22 years old, while the oldest has turned 63. Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets noted that those returned are in serious condition, suffering from injuries and severe psychological distress.

Media

POWs

War Crimes

“Honorable Captivity” of Azov: Civic Evidence Publishes Report on the Fate of Azov Fighters in Russian Captivity

Media

POWs

War Crimes

“Made in Russia. Delivered to Captivity”: Project on Russia’s Crimes Against POWs Presented in Kyiv

Lethal Cases

POWs

War Crimes

“It’s Not a War Crime If You Had Fun”: Execution of POWs as Russian State Policy

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.