Prisoners of War Situation
Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets stated that 46 Ukrainian prisoners of war, wounded during the terrorist attack in Olenivka in July 2022, remain in Russian captivity. Speaking at a press conference marking the fourth anniversary of his tenure, he emphasized that all these detainees are classified as seriously ill and have been held since 2022. Lubinets also appealed to Russian Ombudsman Tetyana Lantratova to secure the return of the severely wounded.
The Olenivka attack occurred on the night of July 28-29, 2022, when a public execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war—defenders of Mariupol from the National Guard's Azov Brigade—resulted in 47 deaths and over 100 injuries. That evening, guards forced all prisoners into a barracks, followed by two explosions that sparked a fire. Medical aid was withheld for several hours, and evacuation was only permitted around 5 a.m.
Lubinets noted that Russia published a list of 130 prisoners wounded in the incident, of which 46 Ukrainian prisoners remain on Russian territory.
“In my view, on the night of July 28-29 in Olenivka, the Russians deliberately prepared and carried out a public execution of a specific category of Ukrainian prisoners of war,” he stated.
Appeals to the International Community
On June 26, Lubinets sent a letter to Lantratova from the Olenivka families' community, urging the return of 46 severely wounded captives. In response, Lantratova informed Lubinets about the launch of monitoring of Ukrainian prisoner detention sites. Lubinets also proposed establishing a practice of phone calls for prisoners of war lasting at least three minutes. The Verkhovna Rada supported a parliamentary inquiry by deputy Oleksiy Kovalyov to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, requesting that the 46 severely wounded captives from the Olenivka list be designated as a separate priority category for exchanges.
According to available information, the Ukrainian side has officially documented 694 types of torture used by Russians against Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian hostages. The UN fact-finding mission led by General Carlos dos Santos Cruz operated until January 2023, after which it was disbanded.
The situation regarding Ukrainian prisoners of war, especially those affected by the Olenivka attack, remains critically important for Ukraine. This case underscores the urgent need for continued international pressure on Russia to secure the release of the seriously wounded, as well as ongoing monitoring of detention conditions for Ukrainian citizens in captivity. By highlighting these issues, Ukraine seeks to draw attention to severe human rights violations occurring during the conflict.
The plight of Ukrainian prisoners of war remains a critical issue, especially in light of recent developments. Following the tragic events in Olenivka, efforts continue to secure the release of those still in captivity. In a related case, Ukraine has successfully negotiated the return of 160 captives, highlighting the ongoing struggle and the importance of international advocacy in addressing the humanitarian crisis faced by these individuals.