Mourning/Illustrative photo from open sources
Between February 24, 2022, and November 16, 2023, a total of 49 bodies of servicemen, believed to have been held in captivity, have been returned to Ukraine.
This information was provided by Tetyana Katrychenko, the executive director of the Media Initiative for Human Rights (MIPL).
«Between February 24, 2022, and November 16, 2023, Ukraine has received the remains of 49 bodies of servicemen believed to have been in captivity. This figure excludes individuals who might have perished on the battlefield immediately upon capture, and it does not account for those who died in Olenivka», — said Tetyana Katrychenko according to Ukrinform.
During the presentation of the analytical report titled «Mission to save: what is happening in Russian captivity and how to prevent the deaths of Ukrainian soldiers in it», Katrychenko emphasized that the Russian Federation subjects Ukrainian prisoners of war to mockery, seemingly confident that it won’t face consequences for its actions.
She highlighted the lack of external control over prisoners of war as a contributing factor, and without international institutions’ oversight, the abuse continues. Katrychenko stressed the crucial role of documenting such abuses, emphasizing that it provides substantial evidence for potential international legal proceedings.
Notably, recent reports indicate that the Security Service of Ukraine and prosecutors are investigating the shooting of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian occupiers near Robotyno in Zaporizhzhia.