In addition to the countless wounded and killed in Russia’s offensive war against Ukraine, there is a third category of victims whose fate is often much less known: the prisoners of war. A current media report now shows how Russia treats Ukrainian prisoners of war – and the picture is devastating. Those affected report tasers, electric shocks and beatings with clubs.
Prisoners of war are actually under the protection of the Geneva Convention – so retaliation against them is prohibited. According to the international treaty, prisoners have the right to respect for their person and honor in all circumstances.
“They beat us with clubs and sticks“
The “Washington Post” now reports on Ukrainian POWs who, in addition to war injuries, have reportedly been mistreated during the months of captivity. Bulging shoulder blades and ribs, bandaged limbs and long scars: “I said goodbye to my life there more than once,” the newspaper quoted a certain Vitali (his last name is not published for protection).
“Tasers, electric shocks – they beat us with batons, they beat us with sticks. The blows were so severe that I couldn’t bear them,” he continues. “My ribs were broken; I got hit in the kidneys,” he said, urinating blood for ten days without receiving medical attention.
Massively malnourished – strict diet now necessary
Vitali along with many other soldiers was captured by Russian forces in Mariupol at the end of May – he was one of the last troops to defend the Azovstal steel plant. After his release, he and his comrades ended up in the hospital.
However, they only receive a strict diet there – according to the hospital director, most of the soldiers were so malnourished that they only received 300 milliliters of chicken soup at home – they could usually not digest more than that.
Plastic bags pulled over your head
Mykola (his full name is also not given) suffered a similar fate in Russia – he too reports being beaten and electrocuted. They would have put plastic bags over his head and nearly suffocated him. “There are many ways to get someone to talk. They also handcuffed us,” Mykola told the Post of the Russians’ ruthless interrogation methods.
Since September alone, more than 800 Ukrainian prisoners have been released as part of an exchange with Russia. The success of these negotiations raises hopes that there may still be a common framework for future peace talks.
Signs indicate a long conflict
However, the release of so many people could also be an ominous sign for the development of the war. The increased exchanges could mean preparing for a longer conflict, army and defense analyst David Silbey told the newspaper.
On the one hand, you need a lot of resources for so many prisoners, on the other hand, it shows that Russia probably has problems maintaining its own supply chains: “When winter comes, the situation becomes even more difficult,” says Silbey.
Mutual violations, Russians do not allow control
An exact number of prisoners of war is not known at the moment – neither from the Russian nor from the Ukrainian side. In any case, the international Red Cross speaks of thousands. United Nations officials have already found evidence of torture and ill-treatment on both sides.
Russian soldiers have also made “credible allegations” of executions and “several instances of torture and ill-treatment” by Ukrainian troops, according to the head of the UN Human Rights Observation Mission, Matilda Bogner.
Unlike Russia, Ukraine not only granted the United Nations access to the POWs, but also promised to investigate any allegations of torture on their part.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
