The Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office has presented substantial evidence to the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding the deportation of approximately 1,800 Ukrainian prisoners. This evidence, gathered over four years, includes testimonies from more than 400 victims and witnesses, analyses of Russian court decisions, and official documents.
According to Alexander Zius, a representative from the Prosecutor General’s Office, these prisoners were initially unlawfully relocated from correctional facilities in the Kherson and Mykolaiv regions to the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea, before being deported to various penal institutions in Russia.
The national investigations have already resulted in a court verdict against a Russian official linked to a prison in Mykolaiv. Additionally, seven other cases involving different individuals are currently pending in court, as submitted by prosecutors from Kherson.
Zius outlined two main areas of investigation: the illegal transfer and deportation of prisoners, and the inadequate conditions of detention, which sometimes involve torture and mistreatment of Ukrainian detainees. This situation affects both civilians and military personnel, as they are often held in the same facilities within Russia.
Human rights advocate Anna Skrypka, from the organization “Defense of Ukrainian Prisoners,” has been collecting data on Ukrainian prisoners in occupied territories since the onset of the full-scale invasion. She has documented testimonies from those who have managed to return home and is actively assisting deported individuals in their efforts to return to Ukraine. Skrypka estimates that between 300 and 450 Ukrainian citizens are still held in detention facilities across Russia.
Many of those whose sentences have ended are reportedly re-arrested and detained in centers for foreign nationals. Currently, about 50 individuals are awaiting repatriation to Ukraine, including those with health issues, such as HIV, who have not received necessary treatment for years. For many, the only viable option for return appears to be through prisoner exchanges, a topic that Skrypka is advocating for.
Despite the pressing need for support, Skrypka notes that there is a lack of systematic state assistance for deported prisoners in Ukraine. She emphasizes the absence of dedicated programs for their return and the necessary rehabilitation support upon their arrival. This situation poses significant risks to their health and well-being, as many do not receive adequate medical care.
The issue of prisoner deportation has recently gained attention, particularly following the documentary “Bring Me Home,” produced by the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty project “How Are You?” The film highlights the journeys of Ukrainian deportees returning from captivity. This topic was further discussed during a presentation of the documentary in Kyiv in July 2024, which included human rights advocates, prosecutors, and the then-Minister of Justice, Denys Maliuska.
The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office has submitted evidence to the ICC regarding the deportation of Ukrainian prisoners to Russia. This includes testimonies and analyses of conditions faced by detainees, highlighting ongoing human rights concerns.