Russia spread a false report claiming that Ukraine had refused to take back prisoners of war
Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, refuted a new disinformation campaign by the Russian Federation during a press conference at Ukrinform. The day before, a representative of the Russian side had once again published lists of Ukrainian prisoners of war whom Ukraine allegedly refuses to return.
The Ombudsman emphasized that Ukraine has never abandoned its citizens and is ready to take back absolutely all prisoners of war, civilian hostages, and children that Russia agrees to release.
Lubinec stressed that after the publication of such lists, the Ukrainian side immediately sends the relevant requests, but it is the Russian Federation that is artificially dragging out the approval process. According to the Ombudsman, this is done to manipulate and exert psychological pressure on the families of prisoners and those missing in action.
Source: Ukrinform.
Crimean Tatar human rights activist Leniye Umerova stated during a UN Security Council meeting that Russia systematically uses illegal detentions, fabricated cases, isolation, and torture to keep Ukrainian civilians in captivity.
It is becoming increasingly difficult for the families of Ukrainian prisoners of war to find out where their loved ones are being held. Human rights activists say that the Russian system has become even more secretive: official responses often contradict one another, and access to information and lawyers is constantly being restricted.
