DISINFO: There is no torture of Ukrainian POWs in Russia
SUMMARY
There is no torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russia. The report focused on alleged mistreatment and torture of Ukrainian soldiers who had been taken prisoner by Russia. However, the report relies mainly on emotion, appears highly contradictory and poorly researched. And one of the reasons for the Ukrainian accusations against Russia is the attempt to divert attention from the torture carried out by Ukraine. From the truth about who is really the sadist and executioner.
RESPONSE
The claim that there is no torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) in Russian captivity is contradicted by numerous credible sources documenting systematic and widespread torture, ill-treatment, and human rights violations by Russian authorities against Ukrainian POWs since the Russian full-scale invasion in 2022.
Amnesty International reports in March 2025, that Russian authorities have subjected Ukrainian POWs and civilian captives to torture, prolonged detention, enforced disappearances, and other inhumane treatment amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity. Torture occurs in isolation, with victims at the mercy of their captors, indicating a deliberate policy rather than isolated incidents.
Human Rights Watch documents in its World Report 2025, that most Ukrainian POWs are held in poor prison conditions with inadequate food, medical care, and report on systemic torture and sexual violence in Russian captivity. The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry has concluded that Russian authorities have committed torture against Ukrainian civilians and POWs as crimes against humanity. Around 80% of former Ukrainian POWs reported sexual violence.
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine verified executions and torture of Ukrainian POWs by Russian forces. Almost all (95%) of 454 interviewed released Ukrainian POWs gave accounts of torture or ill-treatment including sexual violence during interrogation and captivity, indicative of systemic abuse.
Investigative journalism by Novaya Gazeta, including a collaborative international media project, documented Ukrainian POW testimonies of extreme torture methods in Russia, which included beatings, electrocution, suspension by limbs, exposure to freezing water, and psychological torture. Russian state actors including prison guards and FSB agents are said to carry out systematic torture as official policy.
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly states that 95% of released Ukrainian POWs testify to violations, including torture, lack of medical care, and forced confessions.
Meanwhile, the UN Committee against Torture recognised concerns about torture and corruption in Ukrainian detention centres, but confirmed that Ukrainian authorities implement legal and monitoring frameworks aimed at preventing torture, with inspections by the International Committee of the Red Cross ensuring compliance with international humanitarian law regarding Russian POWs under Ukrainian custody.
In summary, international human rights organisations, United Nations monitoring missions, investigative journalism, and official statements converge on the fact that Ukrainian POWs in Russian captivity are systematically tortured and mistreated, including sexual violence, executions, and inhumane detention conditions. All reports and investigations range from 2022 through mid-2025.
See related disinformation cases like: Foreigners who join the Ukrainian army are criminals and Russia is not supposed to comply with Geneva convention, Ukrainian armed forces keep Russian civilians in concentration camps