Since the beginning of the large-scale invasion, Russians have kidnapped more Ukrainians than during the entire ATO: National Police data.

According to law enforcement, since the beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian war, particularly from the start of the ATO/JFO until February 24, 2022, there have been 3,552 cases of kidnapping and detention of civilian Ukrainians. During this period, 98 people were released. This was reported by the National Police of Ukraine.

According to the data, from February 24, 2022, to February 13, 2025, the National Police has initiated 5,312 criminal proceedings in connection with the illegal deprivation of liberty of 6,394 citizens of Ukraine.

During this period:

• 28 civilian Ukrainians died in captivity;
• 1,595 Ukrainians were released;
• 2,476 criminal proceedings concerning 4,623 prisoners were transferred to the Security Service of Ukraine.

It was previously reported that the Office of the Prosecutor General named a shocking number of Ukrainians kidnapped by Russia during the war.

The UN commission investigating violations in Ukraine found new evidence of torture by Russia of Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war in the occupied territories of Ukraine and in the Russian Federation.

Additionally, employees of the Federal Prison Service of Russia received instructions to be cruel to Ukrainian prisoners and to use violence against them, reports The Wall Street Journal.