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

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

POWs

War Crimes

Fourth anniversary of the Olenivka attack: memorial installation unveiled in Kyiv

A permanent memorial installation commemorating the victims of the Russian terrorist attack in Olenivka has been unveiled at Mykhailivska Square in Kyiv, the Association of Azovstal Defenders’ Families announced.

Media

POWs

War Crimes

EU imposed sanctions on the heads and staff of colonies where Ukrainian POWs are tortured

On 13 July, the Council of the European Union adopted a decision imposing restrictive measures on 15 individuals and one entity responsible for violations of the rights of Ukrainian prisoners of war and unlawfully detained civilians. Most of those listed are heads and staff of penal colonies where prisoners are held.

Around 700 Azov POWs in captivity, over 250 already sentenced: presentation of the Civic Evidence report

On June 30, in Kyiv, at Ukrinform, the independent initiative Civic Evidence presented its report "The Honorable Captivity of Azov: How Propaganda, Violence, and Trials Shape the Fate of Ukrainian Prisoners of War in Russia." The study focuses on the situation of Ukrainian prisoners of war from the Azov regiment and exposes a mechanism that combines Russian propaganda machinery, practices of torture, and fabricated criminal prosecution. The authors document the systemic nature of Russia's violations of international humanitarian law and call for strengthening international mechanisms to protect prisoners of war.

POWs

War Crimes

Russian medics torture prisoners of war: a new study by human rights defenders

On 24 June, the Center for Civil Liberties presented the analytical study "Anatomy of Torture" in Kyiv. The document examines the role of Russian medical personnel in the torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war and illegally detained civilians.

Azov

Exchanges

POWs

“We are all significantly falling short,” Denys Prokopenko comments on the 75th prisoner exchange

On June 5, 2026, the 75th prisoner exchange took place. As part of the exchange, 185 prisoners of war and one civilian – who had been held captive by the Russians since 2022 – returned to Ukraine. This was reported by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, which expressed gratitude to the United States and the UAE for their assistance in organizing the exchange.

POWs

War Crimes

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

Azov

POWs

War Crimes

Fourth anniversary of the Olenivka attack: memorial installation unveiled in Kyiv

Media

POWs

War Crimes

EU imposed sanctions on the heads and staff of colonies where Ukrainian POWs are tortured

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.