Themes by tag: prisoners

On the 3rd anniversary of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the “People Fist!” campaign, supported by the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the russian federation Mariana Katzarova, two Nobel Peace Prize laureates, and over forty leading Ukrainian, russian and international human rights organizations demand the immediate release of the captives of russia’s war against Ukraine. On February 24, an online press conference will be held.

Their call is simple: put people first. As preparations for negotiations to end the war are underway, the key priority of any negotiated agreements must be the release and exchange of the captives.

Among them are:
– at least 20,000 Ukrainian children deported to russia
– thousands of Ukrainian civilians held in russian prisons
– thousands of Ukrainian and russian prisoners of war
– hundreds of russian political prisoners imprisoned for anti-war speech or actions

Speakers:
– Mariana Katzarova, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the russian federation
– Oleksandra Matviichuk, leader of the Center for Civil Liberties, the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureate
– Oleg Orlov, Co-Chair of Memorial Human Rights Defense Center, former political prisoner and the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureate
– Yevgen Zakharov, Director of the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group
– Dirk Schuebel, Head of division, Relations with the russian federation, European External Action Service, European Commission (TBC)

Accreditation is required to attend the event.

• prisoners

In August 2024, russia illegally sentenced Ukrainian activist Iryna Horobtsova to 10 years and 6 months in prison, accusing her of “espionage”.

Iryna Horobtsova, a resident of Kherson, worked for a Ukrainian IT company. In the spring of 2022, when russian forces occupied the city, she became known for her social media posts documenting life under occupation. Iryna shared photos with Ukrainian symbols and even referred to her apartment as the “resistance headquarters.”

On May 13, 2022, russians abducted her from her own home and held her in a detention center in occupied Crimea. She was held in total isolation, with no contact with the outside world.

Journalists can talk to Irina’s parents (online), as well as her lawyer and experts from the Center for Civil Liberties in Kyiv.

• prisoners
• russian crimes
• women
• Kyiv

Peaceful events are planned in 22 cities across Ukraine to raise awareness of the defenders of Azovstal and other soldiers still in enemy captivity.

On February 22, rallies will take place in Okhtyrka, Chernihiv, Arbuzynka, Vinnytsia, Svitlovodsk, Kharkiv, Lviv, Obukhiv, Poltava, Zaporizhia and Pavlohrad.

On February 23, events are scheduled in Kyiv, Pivdenoukrainsk, Uman, Krolevets, Korop, Ovruch, Irpin, Cherkasy, Korosten, Uzhhorod, and Mykolaiv.

The events are organized by the families of POWs from the Mariupol garrison. The rallies are often attended by Ukrainians who have been released from captivity.

• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

On February 23, the eve of the anniversary of the full-scale invasion, the ceremony “The Bell of Remembrance and Hope: 11 Years of War” will be held. This event is to remind everyone of Ukrainians who are in captivity, missing or victims of forced deportation.

The ceremony will begin with a liturgy at the Refectory Church, led by Bishop Avraamii, Abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The Bell of Remembrance and Hope will strike 11 times, marking 11 years of war in Ukraine. Families of prisoners of war will also take part in the ceremony.

Program of the event:
– Liturgy in the Refectory
– Ceremony “Bell of Remembrance and Hope: 11 Years of War”.

Accreditation is required to attend the event.

The Bell of Remembrance and Hope will ring daily until victory is achieved and all defenders return home. This initiative was launched in December 2023 at the Lavra with the support of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

• culture
• prisoners
• religion
• Kyiv

Serhii Hrytsiv, a native of Ukraine’s Ivano-Frankivsk region, endured two and a half years in captivity, marked by relentless torture, starvation, and interrogation. A member of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Bilynskyi, he witnessed the start of russia’s full-scale invasion from the front lines.  

Hrytsiv recalls that the fighting in the Mariupol sector, where he was stationed, began on February 17, 2022. Nearly two months later, on April 12, his commander presented a grim choice: either attempt a breakthrough or face capture. Each soldier had to decide for themselves. Hrytsiv and a group of comrades made a desperate bid to escape the russian encirclement but were ultimately unsuccessful. They were soon taken prisoner.  

Over the course of his captivity, Hrytsiv was transferred 18 times, enduring detention in 12 different locations. According to him, not a single day passed without torture—Ukrainian prisoners were subjected to brutal beatings, electric shocks, and starvation.  

On September 13, 2024, Hrytsiv was freed in a prisoner exchange and returned to Ukrainian territory. Following rehabilitation, he met his future wife, and the two soon married.  

Serhii Hrytsiv is available for conversations both online and in person by appointment.

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Ivano-Frankivsk

The Center for Civil Liberties invites you to the performance “People Are Key!”, which will take place as part of the March of Remembrance and Hope on February 20 in Kyiv.

The performance is aimed at supporting all prisoners of the Kremlin: prisoners of war, illegally detained civilians, deported Ukrainian children, and political prisoners. The symbol of the performance is keys, representing both freedom and home. Participants will jingle keys to remind the world of those still held in captivity.

Speakers for comments:

– Oleksandra Romantsova, Executive Director of the Center for Civil Liberties (English-speaking)

– Mykhailo Savva, Doctor of Political Science, expert with the Center for Civil Liberties

– Relatives and friends of Kremlin prisoners

• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

Ihor Shyshko, a resident of Kharkiv, joined the Defense Forces at the beginning of the full-scale invasion,  although he had the opportunity to refuse to serve because he is a father of many children.

In March 2022, he was captured by russian forces. During 801 days of captivity, he endured torture, beatings, and starvation. He lost over 50 kilograms. In May 2024, Ihor was finally released in a prisoner exchange and returned home.

After his release, he founded a support center for soldiers returning from captivity or suffering from injuries.

The main goal of the “Shoulder to Shoulder” center is to help veterans reintegrate into civilian life. The center provides psychological and legal assistance, as well as various engagement programs to help veterans find new career paths in civilian life.

You can contact Ihor Shyshko either online or in person by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• psychological support
• russian crimes

Peaceful events are planned in 25 cities across Ukraine to raise awareness of the defenders of Azovstal and other soldiers still in enemy captivity.

On February 8, rallies will be held in Ochyrka, Chernihiv, Vinnytsia, Irpin, Poltava, Dnipro, Zaporizhia and Pavlohrad.

On February 9, peaceful actions are scheduled in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Pivdenoukrainsk, Uman, Krolevets, Korop, Ovruch, Korosten, Kremenchuk, Uzhhorod, Mykolaiv, Ostroh, Obukhiv, Berdychiv, Chernivtsi and Kropyvnytskyi.

The events are organized by the families of POWs from the Mariupol garrison. The rallies are often attended by Ukrainians who have been released from captivity.

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

Anastasiia Buhera was with her parents in Izium, Kharkiv oblast, when russia launched its full-scale invasion. She had come home for the holidays as she was studying at a university in Kharkiv at the time.

During the occupation, she witnessed firsthand the devastation russian forces inflicted on the captured city. She counted how many bombs were dropped on Izium every hour and understood the extreme danger of even going out to buy bread, knowing that each trip could be her last.

Anastasiia managed to escape the occupation after five months. When she returned to Ukrainian-controlled territory, she learned that her boyfriend, Kostiantyn, who had been in Mariupol defending Azovstal in February 2022, had been captured by the enemy.

The last time Anastasiia spoke to him was on April 24, 2022 – he sent her photos and videos and promised to return home. Now she waits for Kostiantyn and does everything she can to make sure the world does not forget those still held in russian captivity.

Anastasiia Buhera is available for interviews in the Kharkiv oblast, both online and in person, by prior arrangement.

• military
• occupation
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• women
• Kharkiv

Peaceful rallies are set to take place in 27 cities across Ukraine to honor and advocate for the defenders of Azovstal and other military personnel still held in enemy captivity.

On February 1, events will be held in Okhtyrka, Chernihiv, Vinnytsia, Pavlysh, Dnipro, Zaporizhia, Bila Tserkva, Obukhiv, Lviv, and Pavlohrad.

The following day, February 2, actions will unfold in Kyiv, Pivdenoukrainsk, Uman, Krolevets, Ovruch, Korosten, Kremenchuk, Uzhhorod, Mykolaiv, Rivne, Berdychiv, Dolyna, Shostka, Brovary, Odesa, Chernivtsi, and Kropyvnytskyi.

These events are organized by the families of prisoners of war from the Mariupol garrison. Often, Ukrainians who have been released from captivity also join in solidarity.

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv