Leaders of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, including President Pia Kauma (Finland), members of the Ukraine Support Group (PSTU), and the leadership of the Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions, have strongly condemned Russia for its systematic torture, executions, and inhumane treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war.
According to a statement on the OSCE PA website, UN reports indicate that over 95% of released Ukrainian POWs reported violations of detention conditions, including torture, denial of medical care, and forced confessions.
The OSCE PA leaders noted that Ukrainian POWs suffered starvation, beatings for speaking Ukrainian, and various forms of physical, sexual, and psychological violence. One shocking case involved a released soldier bearing deep scars on his body spelling out the words “Glory to Russia.”
“We strongly condemn the Russian Federation’s systematic violations of international law, the laws and customs of war, including the 1949 Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War and the 1977 Additional Protocol on the protection of victims of international armed conflicts,” the statement reads.
The Assembly’s leaders urged Russia to comply with the Geneva Conventions, treat prisoners humanely, and hold accountable those responsible for violations.
They also called on the international community to support the safe return of all Ukrainian civilians and POWs still held in Russian captivity.
