Taken from occupied towns: Ukraine's civilian detainees

Since 2022 Russian forces and occupation authorities have detained Ukrainian civilians — local officials, journalists, volunteers, people with pro-Ukrainian views — held them without status or charge, tortured most of them and moved many to prisons in Russia. Families are rarely told where they are. The UN estimates that more than 16,000 are still held; the UN Commission of Inquiry has found the torture and the enforced disappearances to be crimes against humanity.

Torture and enforced disappearance as crimes against humanity — established (UN Commission of Inquiry, 2024–25) Incommunicado detention, transfer to Russia, trials on 'terrorism' and 'espionage' — pattern (OHCHR; CoI) Hostage-taking and unlawful confinement, GC IV art. 147 — position (Ukraine)

Russia said. Maria Zabolotskaya · Russia's deputy permanent representative · 10 Aug 2026: “[Russian forces comply with international humanitarian law, including in their treatment of prisoners — as reported]” — Contradicted by the UN's own interviews. 85% of 403 released civilian detainees interviewed by the UN reported torture or ill-treatment (UN ASG, 10 Aug 2026); 43 civilian detainees have died in custody (OHCHR, 29 Jun 2026); the Commission of Inquiry found torture to be a crime against humanity.

Evidence held: OHCHR, 27 Jun 2023; OHCHR, 23 Sep 2025; Ombudsman of Ukraine, 27 Jun 2026; Office of the Prosecutor General.