More than 10,000 peaceful Ukrainians are being held by the Russian forces in the occupied territories and in the Russian Federation, with criminal proceedings identifying 5,600 Ukrainians who have suffered from the tortures. The actual figure is significantly higher, according to Ukraine's Prosecutor General, Andriy Kostin.
"There are different figures. We estimate in tens of thousands, more than 10,000 for sure. We are only talking about those who were forcibly resettled, not those who made such decisions at their own discretion," Kostin said in an interview with the Interfax-Ukraine agency, responding to questions about the number of civilian hostages held by the Russian forces.
Regarding the creation of a register of civilian captives, Kostin stated that such work is ongoing at the government level.
"It is important that we have reached the international level in this matter – the first meeting of an international platform similar to the one dealing with the return of our children has taken place," emphasized the Prosecutor General.
In Kostin's opinion, a resolution from the UN General Assembly on this issue would be very important, "so that we could apply other elements of communication and pressure on the aggressor country to release our civilians and return them to Ukraine."
The Prosecutor General added that, on their part, prosecutors together with law enforcement agencies are holding accountable those responsible for the deportation of civilians and their unlawful detention in occupied territories and in the territory of Russia.
Responding to questions about whether it is possible to at least approximately determine the ratio of those who voluntarily moved to Russia and those who were forcibly taken and are now in prisons, the Prosecutor General said,
"When we talk about the occupied territories, the word 'voluntarily' is inappropriate. Some are forced to leave due to shelling, others are promised material assistance and illusory safety. But any actions taken under duress are not voluntary. For some, the only way to return to Ukraine is to escape through Russia, and there are many such cases."
Speaking about the number of victims of torture and inhuman treatment, Kostin reported that only in criminal proceedings have 5,600 Ukrainians been identified as having suffered from this type of war crime by the Russian Federation.
"However, the full figures may be much higher, as we do not have reliable information from the occupied territories," he added.
According to the Prosecutor General, as of today, the functioning of 164 torture chambers and other places of coercive detention has been documented on the territories that were under occupation.
