Human Rights Groups Present New Evidence of Systematic Torture of Ukrainian POWs by Russia.

Systematic Abuse of Ukrainian Prisoners of War

According to TSN.ua: Human rights organizations are reporting systematic abuse of Ukrainian prisoners of war held by Russia. Reports from groups including the Institute for the Study of War and Human Rights Watch confirm the use of physical and psychological torture against captured Ukrainian soldiers. According to data published by Human Rights Watch on December 11, 2025, Russian forces have captured at least 13,500 Ukrainian soldiers between February 2022 and September 2025.

As of September 2025, between 6,000 and 10,000 Ukrainian POWs remained in Russian captivity. Many of these prisoners have been held in Russian prisons for two to three years, indicating the prolonged and systematic nature of the abuse. Experts note that Russian forces and authorities continue to systematically mistreat Ukrainian prisoners of war. Andriy Yusov, a representative of a human rights organization, stated:

“Russia has created an entire system for torturing prisoners of war, with specific ‘specialists’ trained to carry it out.” - Andriy Yusov

Current Situation and Efforts to Address the Issue

In a related development, Rustem Umerov noted that 1,200 Ukrainians would be returned from Russian captivity in the near future. This indicates ongoing efforts to protect the rights of prisoners, yet the critical issue of torture remains unresolved. Russia's apparent goal is to break the spirit and dignity of Ukrainian POWs, a situation causing deep concern within the international community.

The plight of Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russia is a source of grave alarm for human rights defenders and international bodies. The abuse and torture detailed in these reports may constitute violations of international humanitarian law, demanding an urgent response from the global community. While the repatriation of Ukrainian military personnel is a positive step, it does not diminish the scale of the crisis faced by the thousands of POWs who remain in Russian custody. The systematic nature of these alleged abuses suggests a deliberate policy rather than isolated incidents.