In a stark accusation, Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin has accused Russia of systematically torturing Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs), with reports suggesting that up to 90 percent of returned soldiers have suffered abuse during detention in Russian facilities. Kostin revealed these allegations during a recent event in Brussels organized by the Center for European Politics. He emphasized that these abuses are seen as not only war crimes but also as acts inducing “long-term trauma” with significant psychological and physical repercussions for the victims. In his statement, Kostin stated, “Russia simply aims to collectively punish Ukrainian prisoners of war simply for their membership in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. For protecting the Ukrainian land and our freedom.” More on this development can be read on the Jurist website.
The accusation is further supported by a recent report from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), which documents widespread torture and ill-treatment of Ukrainian POWs by Russian authorities at various stages of their captivity. The report details shocking accounts of brutal beatings, electric shocks, sexual violence, strangulation, and other forms of inhumane treatment.
In addition to the treatment of POWs, Kostin highlighted the troubling plight of Ukrainian civilians, with more than 4,000 instances of kidnapping and illegal detention being documented. These acts are part of what Kostin describes as a broader strategy by Russia to suppress Ukrainian identity in territories under Russian occupation. In line with accountability efforts, Kostin reported progress in identifying 421 suspects and filing charges against 307 individuals for the mistreatment of prisoners.
These revelations underscore significant violations of the Third Geneva Convention, a key instrument of international humanitarian law which explicitly prohibits physical or mental torture, humiliation, and degrading treatment of POWs. Article 13 of the Convention states that POWs must be treated humanely and protected from acts of violence and intimidation. The ongoing situation highlights the urgent need for international scrutiny and legal accountability as the conflict continues to unfold.