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.
Commenting on the report in an interview with Ukrinform, Katzarova said that torture of prisoners in Russia, including Ukrainian captives, remains a systematic practice facilitated by impunity. According to her, “the torture machine is working at full capacity,” and Ukrainian captives are treated with particular cruelty. At times, torturing prisoners can even become grounds for promotion.
According to the data cited in the report, at least 438 Ukrainians have died in Russian captivity. Katzarova estimates that about 90% of Ukrainian captives whose cases are being heard by Russian courts are charged with terrorism-related offences rather than with participation in hostilities.
Separately, she spoke about “Azov” prisoners, who, despite their prisoner-of-war status, are tried on terrorism charges:
“The Russian government has declared the Azov Battalion a terrorist organisation. Its fighters are prisoners of war. Yet instead of being treated, and, if prosecuted, tried, in accordance with the rules that apply to prisoners of war, they are tried as terrorists.”
Among the mechanisms of accountability, the Special Rapporteur named the International Criminal Court and the principle of universal jurisdiction. She also stressed the need to document crimes for future trials.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has had no access to Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russia since 2024, so what is known about their conditions comes mostly from the testimonies of those released.
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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.
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.
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.
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