Russia’s treatment of Ukrainian military personnel and civilian in captivity amounts to war crimes and crimes against humanity. Thousands of members of the Ukrainian forces are currently held captive in Russia and occupied Ukraine as prisoners of war (POWs). These POWs are often held for months or years without
their detention being notified to the relevant authorities. They are denied the right to communicate with the outside world, and Russia has prevented international organizations from accessing them. This treatment amounts to incommunicado detention which, given its duration, is considered inhuman treatment. This approach is designed to place POWs beyond the protection of international law, facilitating torture and other ill-treatment, including denial of medical care they require, and in some cases, unlawful killing of POWs. Committed in the context of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, these acts amount to war crimes.
