Themes by tag: russian crimes

Participants:
Ihor Kotelyanets, head of the NGO “Association of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners”;
Tetiana Maletska, clinical psychologist at the “Lisova Polyana” Center for Mental Health and Rehabilitation;
Azat Azatian, founder of a rehabilitation center in Zaporizhzhia, former political prisoner;
Yurii Shapovalov, released from unlawful imprisonment, representative of the NGO “29 December.”

Discussion topics:
– a real, rather than formal, rehabilitation system for people returning from unlawful detention;
– what state policy in the field of rehabilitation of released civilians should look like.

Background: Thousands of Ukrainians who have experienced unlawful imprisonment face new challenges after their release — from health problems and psychological consequences of torture to complex bureaucratic procedures. Activists have analyzed current legislation and its implementation and propose a vision for how state policy on the rehabilitation of released civilians should be structured, as well as specific decisions and steps that need to be taken immediately.

• casualties
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

On February 24, commemorative events will take place in the city of Bucha in the Kyiv region to honor the memory of civilians and defenders of Ukraine who were killed.

The program will include:
A requiem rally and memorial service honoring fallen Heroes;
A requiem rally and memorial service honoring innocent victims of russian aggression near the Wall of Remembrance;
A religious event, “Light of Prayer over Ukraine,” dedicated to the National Day of Prayer, with the participation of representatives of religious organizations of the Bucha City Territorial Community and the Pavlo Chubynsky National Academic Choir;
The unveiling of a memorial plaque to a fallen Defender;
A presentation of the book “Bucha. Women. War.”

• dead
• occupation
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

To remind the public about the defenders of “Azovstal” and other service members who remain in enemy captivity, peaceful events are planned in 30 cities.

On February 21, rallies will take place in Svitlovodsk, Dnipro, Okhtyrka, Chernihiv, Vinnytsia, Zaporizhzhia, Kovel, Shpola, Volochysk, Poltava, Zhytomyr, Pavlohrad, and Lviv.

On February 22, events are scheduled in Kyiv, Krolevets, Pivdennoukrainsk, Mykolaiv, Korop, Obukhiv, Ovruch, Kharkiv, Dolynska, Cherkasy, Lozova, Uzhhorod, Berdychiv, Kropyvnytskyi, Rivne, Chernivtsi, and Odesa.

The events are organized by the families of prisoners of war from the Mariupol garrison. Formerly captive Ukrainians who have been released from imprisonment also often take part in the rallies.

• prisoners
• russian crimes

On February 21, the exhibition “KHERSON: NOT/stolen” will open in the capital. The event is timed to the fourth anniversary of the start of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

The joint project “KHERSON: NOT/stolen” brings together studies and homages to looted museum artworks created by Ukrainian artists. Its goal is to support the Kherson Art Museum, which was looted by russian occupying forces before the city was liberated in November 2022.

For reference: The project was launched in 2024 as a study of the stolen collection of the Kherson Art Museum. It now seeks to draw attention to all Ukrainian museums that have been looted by russian occupying forces since the occupation of Crimea in March 2014 and up to the present day.

• culture
• occupation
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

Oleksandr Demchenko is a military anesthesiologist. In 2016, he volunteered for mobilization. After the start of the full-scale invasion, he became one of those who agreed to go to Azovstal, where Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol were holding the line under siege.

The team boarded a Mi-8 helicopter that flew at extremely low altitude. Later, they were transferred to a boat that successfully reached the surrounded metallurgical plant. Oleksandr recalls his work at Azovstal as a routine he managed to maintain despite extremely difficult conditions, a shortage of medicines, and constant shelling. He performed surgeries, dressings, and monitored the condition of the wounded.

In May 2022, Oleksandr and his fellow soldiers went into russian captivity. He was taken to a penal colony in Olenivka in the occupied Donetsk region, where he was held for three months. Oleksandr survived the attack carried out by russians in Olenivka, which killed more than fifty Ukrainian prisoners of war.

In September 2022, he was returned to Ukraine in a prisoner exchange. Almost immediately, Oleksandr resumed his duties and continues to serve.

Journalists can speak with Oleksandr online or offline in Kyiv by prior arrangement.

For reference: The defense of Mariupol lasted 86 days. By order of the command, Ukrainian defenders ceased resistance, left Azovstal, and surrendered into enemy captivity. On May 20, 2022, Mariupol fell under russian occupation.

• doctors
• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

On World Whale Day, February 19, the Kyiv Whale will light up again in the capital. It is Ukraine’s largest eco media art sculpture, created from recycled plastic collected by Kyiv schoolchildren. Its new soundtrack is an audiovisual program featuring the sounds of Kyiv’s rivers.

The main goal is to draw attention to the problem of clean water in Ukraine, which has worsened as a result of the ecocide committed by russia. The project also aims to emphasize our shared responsibility and the importance of public oversight in addressing this issue.

Journalists will have the opportunity to learn more about the project. Accreditation is required to attend the event.

For reference: As Ukraine approaches 2026, the state of its water resources is assessed as critically strained. The cumulative impact of systematic attacks on port infrastructure, tanker fleet accidents, blackouts, and the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant has led to unprecedented pollution of both marine and freshwater resources.

Scientists report more than 50,000 dead dolphins and up to 50% loss of the mussel population — natural sea filters. They have also recorded approximately 83,300 tons of heavy metals in bottom sediments following the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP, 5,000 tons of fuel oil, and a 55-kilometer sunflower oil slick in the Black Sea.

• culture
• ecology
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

Volodymyr Aleksandrov is 47 years old. He is originally from Pereiaslav-Khmelnytskyi, where he was mobilized in May 2025. He joined the 112th Territorial Defense Brigade and carried out combat missions in the Donetsk region together with his fellow soldiers.

Volodymyr and his comrade Ihor, who is currently considered missing in action, were holding a position. That day, food supplies were dropped to them by drone. The package had to be retrieved near one of the buildings. When the soldiers approached the structure, they came under automatic gunfire. Both Ukrainian fighters were wounded — the russians decided to keep Volodymyr alive and take him captive.

The occupiers inspected the Ukrainian position, where there was a generator, water, communication equipment, and food, and decided to move there together with the wounded Volodymyr. For several days, the russians forced the Ukrainian soldier to contact his command and assure them that everything was fine. Eventually, the food and water at the position ran out and the power supply failed. The uninjured russians then abandoned their wounded comrades along with Volodymyr and went in search of water. The Ukrainian serviceman persuaded two wounded russian soldiers to surrender to Ukrainian forces. The Defense Forces of Ukraine prepared an evacuation operation, involving more than three dozen personnel, including drone operators and unmanned ground vehicle crews, medics, technicians, and reconnaissance units. Ultimately, Volodymyr and one enemy soldier were brought back to Ukrainian positions.

An interview with Volodymyr can be arranged online by prior appointment and in coordination with the press officer.

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• evacuation

To remind the public of the defenders of Azovstal and other servicemembers who remain in enemy captivity, peaceful rallies are planned in 30 cities.

On February 7, rallies will take place in Okhtyrka, Chernihiv, Vinnytsia, Zaporizhzhia, Kovel, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Shpola, Volochysk, Poltava, Pavlohrad, and Lviv.

On February 8, events are scheduled in Kyiv, Krolevets, Pivdennoukrainsk, Mykolaiv, Korop, Obukhiv, Ovruch, Korosten, Dolynska, Cherkasy, Kremenchuk, Lozova, Uzhhorod, Berdychiv, Kropyvnytskyi, Rivne, Chernivtsi, and Odesa.

The events are organized by families of prisoners of war from the Mariupol garrison. Ukrainians who have been released from captivity also often join the rallies.

• prisoners
• russian crimes

Tetiana Marina, the wife of Spanish citizen Mariano García Calatayud, who was abducted in Kherson, has been seeking her husband’s release from russian captivity for four years.

Mariano is a well-known volunteer who has been living in Ukraine since 2014. On March 19, 2022, he was abducted by russian security forces in occupied Kherson. It later became known that he was held in occupied Crimea, in particular at Simferopol Pre-Trial Detention Center No. 2, in a closed section for so-called political prisoners. It is also known that he suffered a heart attack while in captivity.

russia denies the abduction of the Spanish volunteer and conceals information about his place of detention. Spain has also attempted to facilitate an exchange. On February 2, 2026, Mariano turned 78 years old.

By prior arrangement, journalists may speak with Tetiana online.

For reference: Kherson was occupied by russian forces at the beginning of the full-scale invasion (March 1, 2022). The Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated the city from russian troops on November 11, 2022. The occupiers continue to regularly shell the city.

• prisoners
• russian crimes
• volunteers

Participants:

– Kateryna Rashevska, PhD in International Law, Expert at the Regional Center for Human Rights.

Key topics:

– The current situation regarding the return of Ukrainian children stolen by russia: statistics and achievements;

– How has the process of returning Ukrainian children changed today?

– Who is involved in returning Ukrainian children from russia today and how?

• children
• russian crimes
• Kyiv