At least 184 Ukrainians died in Russian captivity since start of large-scale war

The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War shared the information with the Media Initiative for Human Rights.

Since February 24, 2022, the Media Initiative for Human Rights has documented the testimonies of 122 Ukrainian defenders held in Russian captivity. The testimonies refer to systematic torture, isolation from the outside world, and denial of proper medical care.

The Media Initiative for Human Rights documenters also collected many testimonies about the deaths of prisoners of war in places of detention. Most of them were caused by torture. 

According to their data, at least 184 Ukrainians, including 169 military and 15 civilians, have died in Russian captivity since the beginning of the full-scale war.

The 40th report of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine also mentions the deaths of prisoners of war. From March 1, 2023, to August 31, 2024, the mission recorded the deaths of 10 Ukrainian prisoners of war (all of them men) and one detained medical worker.

Among the 169 bodies of servicemen killed in captivity that were returned to Ukraine, there are 55 who died in the explosions in the Olenivka colony.

• As of December 16, Russian forces are holding over 16,000 Ukrainian civilians in captivity: 168 people have been released.