Story perspectives

UN Reports Russian Torture, US Secures Marine Gilman Release

8/12/2026

Summary

Fuentes Julio: Torture

UN human-rights chief Claudia Fuentes Julio said Russia continues to torture Ukrainian detainees and prisoners of war.
The UN estimates more than 16,000 Ukrainian civilians remain unlawfully detained by Russia.
Over 95% of 910 POWs and 85% of 403 civilian detainees reported torture.
The office recorded 129 POW executions and 48 deaths in custody from torture or denied medical care.

Summary

Russia Pardons

Russia granted a humanitarian pardon to former Marine Robert Gilman after President Vladimir Putin signed a decree.
The United States secured Robert Gilman's freedom without a prisoner swap, describing the act as a goodwill gesture.
Robert Gilman, detained since January 2022, was later found in a dissociative stupor with severe pneumonia.
Senator Ed Markey and Vladimir Gilman, who authored an October 2024 Boston Globe op-ed, advocated Robert Gilman's release.

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Fuentes Julio: Torture

UN human-rights chief Claudia Fuentes Julio said Russia continues to torture Ukrainian detainees and prisoners of war.
The UN estimates more than 16,000 Ukrainian civilians remain unlawfully detained by Russia.
Over 95% of 910 POWs and 85% of 403 civilian detainees reported torture.
The office recorded 129 POW executions and 48 deaths in custody from torture or denied medical care.

1 / 2