At least 375 Ukrainians tortured to death in Russian captivity, commissioner says
Ukraine has recovered the bodies of 375 citizens who died in Russian captivity, Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said on Aug. 12, describing Russia’s treatment of Ukrainian prisoners as a systematic regime of torture, humiliation, and sham justice, according to Ukrinform.
Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets revealed on August 12 that at least 375 Ukrainian citizens have been tortured to death in Russian captivity. He described Russia's treatment of Ukrainian prisoners as a regime of systematic torture, humiliation, and sham justice. Lubinets said the bodies of these 375 individuals were returned to Ukraine, having been handed over by Russia.
The International Committee of the Red Cross and other verification mechanisms confirmed the status of the victims. Lubinets stated that Russia's approach to Ukrainian captives constitutes a "Moscow Conventions" system, where torture, humiliation, and unlawful sentences have become instruments of war. He highlighted that virtually all forms of torture outlined in the Istanbul Protocol have been employed against Ukrainian prisoners in Russia.
Among the documented abuses are beatings, electric shocks, sexual violence, psychological abuse, dog attacks, and mock executions. Furthermore, 95% of Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russian detention have reportedly suffered systematic torture. As of May 2026, at least 2,442 Ukrainian citizens were confirmed to be facing criminal prosecution by Russia, with 1,717 sentences already handed down.
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