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

News June 30, 2026

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 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. Photo: Espreso

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POWs

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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

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.

POWs

War Crimes

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

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

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.

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

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News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

questions & answers

You can make a difference