Ukrainian Ombudsman Lubinets Investigates Uzhhorod Recruitment Center: Seized Documents and Unsanitary Conditions

Monitoring Visit to the Uzhhorod District Recruitment and Social Support Center

According to Главком: On April 4, 2026, Andriy Kryuchkov, the representative of Ukraine's Human Rights Commissioner in the Zakarpattia region, conducted a monitoring visit to the Uzhhorod District Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support (RTCK and SP). The inspection uncovered several violations, including the improper seizure of documents and mobile phones from individuals delivered to the center without proper legal documentation.

Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, commenting on the findings, highlighted the unsanitary conditions at the facility. He noted that for a group of 40 to 60 people, there were only three cups and eight metal plates, forcing individuals to eat in turns from the same unwashed utensils. The inspection also found only one toilet and one shower for this number of detainees, a lack of bed linen, and unverified food service organization. These conditions are a stark violation of basic human dignity and international standards for detention.

Lubinets emphasized that 'This situation is under my personal control.'

It was further reported that men were held at the center for weeks without proper legal grounds. Personnel from the Uzhhorod Zonal Department of the Military Law Enforcement Service assisted in the monitoring, which was a crucial step in uncovering these systemic failures.

Response from State Authorities

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, stated separately that the core principles of mobilization would remain unchanged while the war continues. The revelations from Uzhhorod have sparked significant public concern, making the monitoring of conditions in recruitment centers and the protection of human rights a critical ongoing task for authorities.

The violations uncovered at the Uzhhorod RTCK and SP point to severe systemic issues in the treatment of individuals undergoing military processing. The inadequate living conditions, lack of basic hygiene, and opaque detention procedures have raised alarms among human rights advocates and the wider public.

The state's response to these violations and its subsequent actions to remedy the situation will be a key test for Ukraine's commitment to human rights, particularly under the immense strain of a prolonged war.

The ongoing issues at the Uzhhorod recruitment center reflect a broader concern regarding the treatment of individuals during mobilization efforts. Similar reports have emerged, indicating that men have been held for extended periods, often exceeding 50 days, without the necessary documentation. This highlights the urgent need for reforms and oversight in recruitment practices to ensure compliance with human rights standards. For more details on the alarming conditions faced by detainees, you can read about the extended detention of men without proper documentation.