Abductions and Torture of Ukrainian Civilians in Russian Prisons

The abduction and imprisonment of Ukrainian civilians by Russian forces have escalated significantly since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Families of the abducted have been advocating for their loved ones' release, with some enduring this struggle for over a decade. Human rights organizations estimate that at least 16,000 Ukrainian non-combatants have been detained in Russian prisons, often without formal charges or legal representation.

One prominent case is that of Oleh Shevandin, an athlete and president of a local martial arts association in Debaltseve, who was abducted in May 2015. His wife, Larisa Shevandin, has not heard from him since his arrest, which she claims was carried out by masked men. Shevandin founded the advocacy organization Return Home to raise awareness about his case, which has been discussed at the UN's Committee on Enforced Disappearances. Despite international attention, Oleh remains imprisoned without formal charges.

Another notable case is that of Serhiy Tsyhipa, a retired journalist who was abducted on March 12, 2022, while organizing humanitarian assistance in Nova Kakhovka. He was held without charges for months before being accused of espionage in December 2022. His wife, Olena, has struggled to maintain contact with him, receiving no letters in months, raising concerns about his health and well-being.

According to Yurii Kovbasa, a representative of the Ukrainian parliament's Commissioner for Human Rights, the arbitrary arrests of civilians violate both international humanitarian law and Russian law. Mikhail Savva from the Ukraine-based Center for Civil Liberties notes that many of those detained were involved in civic activities, which the occupying forces perceive as a threat to their control. This systematic approach to detaining civilians serves to intimidate the broader population, demonstrating that anyone could be subjected to similar fates.

The mass abductions and subsequent torture of Ukrainian civilians are not only violations of human rights but also serve as a tactic to suppress dissent and discourage organized resistance against the Russian occupation. The case of retired army officer Serhiy Likhomanov, who was taken from his home in Sevastopol in late 2023 and accused of treason, exemplifies the politically motivated nature of these arrests. His sister, Tetiana Zelena, has dedicated herself to advocating for his release and the release of other Ukrainian prisoners, emphasizing the need for continued efforts to address these human rights abuses.

Human rights organizations, including Memorial, have condemned the actions of Russian authorities as serious violations of international law. Kovbasa highlighted that the Geneva Convention prohibits such arbitrary detentions, while Savva pointed out that the arrests are intended to instill fear among the civilian population.

• “Eleven years in a Russian prison is a long time. They say every day is hell — but then you have to multiply that by 365, and then by another 11.” — Larisa Shevandin, Advocate for Ukrainian Prisoners

• “These people have no legal status at all. Not only is their imprisonment a violation of international law, it's also a violation of Russian law.” — Yurii Kovbasa, Ukrainian Parliament's Commissioner for Human Rights

• “You literally demonstrate that the same thing can happen to anybody, that you can just be disappeared.” — Mikhail Savva, Center for Civil Liberties

• “I want my brother to have the chance to live a normal life, not one in prison. He doesn't deserve that. He did nothing wrong,” — Tetiana Zelena, Sister of Serhiy Likhomanov

The plight of Ukrainian civilians in Russian prisons continues to draw international scrutiny, highlighting the urgent need for advocacy and intervention to address these human rights violations.