Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets said Russia is systematically torturing Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian hostages, using hundreds of methods involving physical abuse, psychological pressure and sexual violence.
Speaking during the presentation of the project “Made in Russia. Delivered into Captivity,” Lubinets stated that Ukrainian authorities have documented 695 different forms of torture allegedly used by Russia against Ukrainian POWs.
“Prisoners of war are strangled, beaten, electrocuted, attacked with dogs, and sometimes forced to stand in one place for up to 18 hours. The moment a person begins to squat from exhaustion, they are immediately beaten again,” Lubinets said.
According to the ombudsman, torture and inhumane detention conditions are systematic. Ukrainian authorities have recorded at least 860 cases involving improper detention conditions, including unsanitary facilities and deliberate starvation used as a method of coercion.
Lubinets described one method of abuse known as “the barber,” during which guards allegedly shave prisoners’ heads while intentionally cutting off pieces of skin. He said victims who scream are then subjected to additional beatings and electric shocks.
The ombudsman noted that international partners have identified 29 detention facilities holding Ukrainians — 18 located inside Russia and 11 in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. Ukrainian intelligence agencies, however, say they have verified 186 locations where Ukrainian POWs and civilian hostages are being held, including sites across Russia and occupied territories, as well as facilities in Siberia.
According to Lubinets, conditions at these detention sites are largely similar and “completely unsuitable for civilized treatment of prisoners.”
He argued that the weak international response to documented torture has effectively encouraged Russia to continue such practices without fear of punishment.
“There is no functioning international human rights protection system for a country that tortures prisoners of war, civilian hostages and deports Ukrainian children — and that country is the Russian Federation,” Lubinets said.
The ombudsman also sharply criticized the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), accusing the organization of failing to properly fulfill its mandate regarding Ukrainian prisoners.
Referring to the killing of Ukrainian POWs in Olenivka, Lubinets noted that 53 prisoners verified by the ICRC were killed and more than 130 wounded in the attack, which Ukraine says was carried out by Russian forces.
“Where is the reaction? There is none,” he said. “And there will be none unless the world understands that pressure must be increased and every representative of the Russian Federation responsible for these crimes must be held accountable.”
