30 November 2022

Articles

How the Ukrainian justice system deals with international crimes

How the Ukrainian justice system deals with international crimes

As of December 2023, the Office of the Prosecutor General had already registered more than 120,000 international crimes committed during Russia’s full-scale invasion alone.

A story of Oleksandr Tarapon from Crimea, illegally convicted by Russia

A story of Oleksandr Tarapon from Crimea, illegally convicted by Russia

On October 21, 2022, the occupation court of Alushta sentenced Oleksandr Tarapon to 2.5 years in a strict regime colony. He was charged with Article 207.3 (part 1) of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, namely, “public dissemination of knowingly false information about the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the exercise of powers by state bodies of the Russian Federation.”

One day with volunteers in the destroyed Vuhledar, Donetsk region

One day with volunteers in the destroyed Vuhledar, Donetsk region

The ZMINA journalist, together with volunteers Andriy and Roman from the Lion's Heart military volunteer association, managed to get to Vuhledar, which was burned by Russian shelling, and saw with her own eyes how this point of invincibility was being equipped

Three stories of women taken by Russians as civilian hostages from Kherson

Three stories of women taken by Russians as civilian hostages from Kherson

Olha and Svitlana told ZMINA about how Russian occupying forces took prisoners, hastily prepared new cells for them, and held civilian hostages on the occupied left bank of the Kherson region

Fines and imprisonments: How Crimeans are persecuted for the truth about the war in Ukraine and dissatisfaction with the occupation

Fines and imprisonments: How Crimeans are persecuted for the truth about the war in Ukraine and dissatisfaction with the occupation

Consideration of protocols on administrative offense for 'discrediting the Russian army's actions' in the illegal "courts" on the Crimean Peninsula is connected with systemic violations of main standards of access to fair justice, the Crimean Process claimed

A typical day in a Russian prison (a diary of a civilian hostage)

A typical day in a Russian prison (a diary of a civilian hostage)

ZMINA has obtained a diary written by one of the Kremlin’s prisoners, Dmytro (name changed for security reasons), which he secretly kept throughout his imprisonment. We also spoke with Yevgen Yamkovyi and Viacheslav Zavalnyi, who learned firsthand what the modern Russian penitentiary system is like

Four stories of missing persons in the occupied territories of Ukraine

Four stories of missing persons in the occupied territories of Ukraine

For over a year and a half of full-scale Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, thousands of Ukrainians have gone missing under the rubble of destroyed buildings, in artificially flooded areas, and Russian prisons. It is still not known precisely how many people have disappeared due to the war unleashed by Russia. According to the register of missing persons under special circumstances overseen by the Commissioner for Missing Persons of Ukraine under the auspices of the Ombudsman’s Office, the number of such persons is at least 25,000. The fate of at least 7,000 is still unknown.

A story of an elderly man from Balakliya on a 12-day hunger strike in Russian captivity

A story of an elderly man from Balakliya on a 12-day hunger strike in Russian captivity

Russian occupying forces took 73-year-old Viktor Illinsky from his home in Balakliya, Kharkiv region, in early August 2022. They wrapped a jacket around his head, put him in a military jeep, and drove him to the local police station.

Three stories about the abuse and inhumane conditions for Ukrainian women prisoners

Three stories about the abuse and inhumane conditions for Ukrainian women prisoners

During the war, Russian occupying forces abducted and held in prisons not only Ukrainian men but also women, regardless of age and status. Women are also subjected to torture, intimidation, and horrific conditions. They are accused of terrorism, adjusting fire, and collaborating with the Ukrainian armed forces.

Signs of genocide: Russia’s crimes against children – Report

Signs of genocide: Russia’s crimes against children – Report

After the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, information began to emerge about the transfer of children by Russian occupying forces from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. The children were taken to the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus, or the territories of Ukraine occupied by the Russian Federation before February 24, 2022, namely, parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk region and Crimea. 

‘Women are not beaten here in Ukraine, but our hands are free’: How Russians held women in seized TDC in Kherson

‘Women are not beaten here in Ukraine, but our hands are free’: How Russians held women in seized TDC in Kherson

At different times, at least 30 local women were held at a temporary detention center (TDC) in Kherson, including a policewoman, a housewife, a cadet of a military educational institution, and a head teacher of a gymnasium. This is described in the analytical report "‘Women's cells’ of Kherson torture chamber" which was prepared by Human Rights Centre ZMINA specialists based on testimonies of victims.

Gafarov-Shyring list: how Russia is killing political prisoners in Crimea

Gafarov-Shyring list: how Russia is killing political prisoners in Crimea

Tetyana Pechonchyk emphasized the importance of publicizing information about political prisoners. In her opinion, it is essential to tell the stories of illegally imprisoned Ukrainian citizens, spread them on social media and abroad, put pressure on Russia, initiate new resolutions of the European Parliament, and raise issues at the level of the OSCE and UN bodies so that Ukrainian citizens, political prisoners at risk with complex diseases, are released first and unconditionally

How to return Ukrainian journalism to the de-occupied territories?

How to return Ukrainian journalism to the de-occupied territories?

ZMINA collected the opinions of journalists and experts

Lithuanian human rights advocate and documentarian Gediminas Andriukaitis: “Ukraine must be in NATO”

Lithuanian human rights advocate and documentarian Gediminas Andriukaitis: “Ukraine must be in NATO”

In the interview with ZMINA Andriukaitis shared his impressions of documentaries during Docudays UA Festival and told how Lithuania perceives Russia's war against Ukraine, and explained why Vladimir Putin tried to persuade European political elites for a long time that there is what he defines as a ‘special democracy’ in the Russian Federation

A story of a man spent two months in captivity in the Russian pre-trial detention center with other civilians and volunteers

A story of a man spent two months in captivity in the Russian pre-trial detention center with other civilians and volunteers

Yevhen Yamkovyi, a resident of Kahovka, a city in the Kherson region on the left bank of the Dnipro river occupied by Russian forces, was detained at the checkpoint “Armyansk” in the northern part of the Crimean peninsula on January 6, 2023. Then, he was transferred to the pre-trial detention center No. 2 in Simferopol, where he met Oleksandr Babych, a mayor of the city Hola Prystan’, Yevhen Melnychuk, a Crimean resident, and Mariano Calatayud, a volunteer from Spain. In prison, he discovered that the Spaniard was tortured with an electric current, and the official was threatened with shooting. On March 7, 2023, Yevgen was released and left the occupied Crimea for Poland.

A witness account of abduction and torture in Hornostaivka village, Kherson region

A witness account of abduction and torture in Hornostaivka village, Kherson region

Serhii, a resident of the Kherson region, was kidnapped from his home on August 3, 2022. At that time, the Southern part of Ukraine, located on both banks of the Dnipro River, had been under the control of the Russian occupying forces for almost five months. At first, the man was kept at the commandant’s office of Nova Kakhovka, a small city on the left bank of the Dnipro River, for some time. Then, Sergii was transferred approximately 50 km East to the former police station of the village of Hornostaivka. While in detention, the Russian occupying forces tried to persuade Serhii to collaborate and point to weapons caches. He refused. On December 22 of last year, Serhii was finally released with a few other civilians.

Torture as a policy of suppressing Ukraine’s resistance to the Russian invasion – Report

Torture as a policy of suppressing Ukraine’s resistance to the Russian invasion – Report

ZMINA Human Rights Center collected evidence of how Ukrainians were kidnapped, interrogated, and tortured en masse by Russian occupying forces during the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. According to human rights defenders, the Russian military treats the entire population of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine as a threat. Torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment of civilians is a part of the comprehensive policy of suppressing any resistance to the Russian invasion.

Over 30 citizens of Ukraine are persecuted for participation in the Noman Çelebicihan Crimean Tatar Volunteer Battalion

Over 30 citizens of Ukraine are persecuted for participation in the Noman Çelebicihan Crimean Tatar Volunteer Battalion

ZMINA discusses below one form of political persecution in the temporarily occupied territories, which includes cases related to the Noman Çelebicihan Crimean Tatar Volunteer Battalion

Columns

Torture in the occupied territories: global consequences of terror

Torture in the occupied territories: global consequences of terror

ZMINA Human Rights Center has been documenting war crimes committed by representatives of the Russian Federation since the beginning of the large-scale invasion of Ukraine. In particular, it interviews victims of arbitrary detention, torture, and ill-treatment. Unfortunately, the practice of committing these crimes remains widespread and systemic. On December 7, Prosecutor General of Ukraine Andriy Kostin reported that 104 torture chambers had been discovered in the regions liberated from the occupiers. There is evidence that in the Zaporizhzhia region, the Ukrainian military found places of illegal detention and torture immediately after deoccupying new territories this past summer.

Life without basics: Struggle of Zakhar’s Family in war-torn Mariupol

Life without basics: Struggle of Zakhar’s Family in war-torn Mariupol

We were lucky, because not all people were missed by shells and not all returned alive. More than a year has passed since the day we escaped from occupied Mariupol

From Bakhchysarai to Vermont: а Crimean Tatar teen’s journey of resilience

From Bakhchysarai to Vermont: а Crimean Tatar teen’s journey of resilience

On February 25, a few hours before the Russian tanks entered the city, we left Bucha and spent 40 hours on the road, heading towards the western Ukraine. We spent three months in the small town of Perechyn, and in June, after the de-occupation of Bucha, we returned to our hometown. A Russian shell hit between the eighth and ninth floors of our house, and our apartment, fortunately, remained intact

We should be more assertive in foreign policy amidst Russian propaganda

We should be more assertive in foreign policy amidst Russian propaganda

Javier Maroto noted that Western democracies are also suffering from the attacks of Putin's regime, in particular from disinformation spread by Russia. He also stressed the importance of political unity in supporting Ukraine outside the EU, as Russian propaganda has a great influence in other countries

Ukraine must join NATO: eliminating security grey areas in Europe

Ukraine must join NATO: eliminating security grey areas in Europe

We must stand with Ukraine until its total victory. That must be very clear to everyone: no semi-peace or other kind of settlements but a victory with regained occupied territories with Zelensky's Peace Formula.

Lessons from Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina must be learned to prevent future aggressions

Lessons from Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina must be learned to prevent future aggressions

Denis Zvizdić in his speech mentioned the experience of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the country that also faced aggression just 40 years ago. The whole world sees the struggle of Ukraine and Denis Zvizdić is proud of his country’s support. He is certain that the world must condemn every attack by any internationally recognized state everywhere

Zelenskyy’s Peace Formula is a good basis to start discussions for ending the war

Zelenskyy’s Peace Formula is a good basis to start discussions for ending the war

At the beginning of her speech, Annita Demetriou emphasized that Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine and its attempts to annex Ukrainian territory cannot be legitimized or justified

Liberation of Crimea essential for lasting peace in Ukraine and Europe

Liberation of Crimea essential for lasting peace in Ukraine and Europe

Expert at International Crimea Platform, Expert on Foreign and Security Policy, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Institute for Strategic Black Sea Studies Olexandr Khara expressed his gratitude to all the nations taking part in this summit and for their support of Ukraine

Reclaiming Crimea: the path to restoration and unity

Reclaiming Crimea: the path to restoration and unity

All foreigners or stateless persons who have settled in the occupied Crimea and other temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine have deliberately committed a crime and must immediately leave Crimea, Refat Chubarov says

Postwar reconstruction: how Ukraine can find its voice in history

Postwar reconstruction: how Ukraine can find its voice in history

Today, we talk a lot about Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction and development. However, the focus is mostly on physical rebuilding. I think this is wrong because that’s not what it is all about. If we focus on the physical restoration of destroyed buildings and infrastructure, this country will not stand a chance against Russian pressure or any other reality that will emerge in its place.

A letter from unfreedom. Read a message from Bogdan Ziza, an artist and a Crimean political prisoner

A letter from unfreedom. Read a message from Bogdan Ziza, an artist and a Crimean political prisoner

The artist and Kremlin political prisoner Bogdan Ziza received 15 years of imprisonment by a Russian court for splashing a door of the municipality with blue and yellow paint in Yevpatoria, a city in the Western part of occupied Crimea. On June 10, he began a hunger strike.

News

Russia killed 58 Ukrainians on December 30 while Republicans in the US Congress blocked military aid to Ukraine (updated)

Russia killed 58 Ukrainians on December 30 while Republicans in the US Congress blocked military aid to Ukraine (updated)

Russia shelled 158 missiles, 118 were shot down, and at least 28 people have been killed, as of 15:30 GMT

Silent suffering: Crimean human rights defenders and a humanitarian volunteer from Kherson deprived of adequate medical care in Russian captivity

Silent suffering: Crimean human rights defenders and a humanitarian volunteer from Kherson deprived of adequate medical care in Russian captivity

Front Line Defenders, Human Rights Watch and Physicians for Human Rights strongly condemn the denial of adequate medical care to human rights defenders in captivity in Russia

If Hungary blocks EU decision to start accession negotiations with Ukraine, it means Putin’s veto – Zelenskyy

If Hungary blocks EU decision to start accession negotiations with Ukraine, it means Putin’s veto – Zelenskyy

The Ukrainian president noted that Ukraine has done everything to prevent any country from blocking the start of negotiations, but “there is a block from Hungary, and that is a fact.”

Russia persecutes at least 25 Crimean residents for their faith as Jehovah’s Witnesses

Russia persecutes at least 25 Crimean residents for their faith as Jehovah’s Witnesses

As reported by “Jehovah’s Witnesses”, at least 25 Crimean residents have been persecuted for their faith. Six of them have been serving sentences in the penal colonies

Ukraine’s groundbreaking database exposes foreign components in Russian and Iranian weaponry, raising concerns about international supply chains

Ukraine’s groundbreaking database exposes foreign components in Russian and Iranian weaponry, raising concerns about international supply chains

Information on the type of weapon, its manufacturer, and technical specifications is available for each component. This information will empower anyone, from investigative journalists to government officials, to gather sufficient evidence, investigate supply chains, and bring those who facilitated this war to justice

Activists held a rally on the issue of violence against women in Lviv

Activists held a rally on the issue of violence against women in Lviv

On Sunday, December 3, activists of the Feminist Workshop, a Lviv-based non-profit group, took to the streets of the city to draw attention to the problem of violence against women. Their posters featured sayings from Ukrainian folklore that referred to the acceptability of violence and the devaluation of women. Activists called for the violence against women to remain only in legend, as reported on the group’s social media. 

Threat to radiation safety: Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant loses power supply due to damaged transmission line

Threat to radiation safety: Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant loses power supply due to damaged transmission line

Ukrenergo, Ukraine's national energy company, reported that all 20 diesel generators were automatically activated, with eight of them remaining in operation

“I was defending my home”: Ukrainian soldier Pavlo Zaporozhets illegally sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment in Russia

“I was defending my home”: Ukrainian soldier Pavlo Zaporozhets illegally sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment in Russia

Zaporozhets pleaded not guilty to the charges. Refusing trial under the Criminal Code, he asserted that as a soldier, he should be tried under the Geneva Convention

Nestlé listed as an international war sponsor by Ukraine’s anti-corruption agency

Nestlé listed as an international war sponsor by Ukraine’s anti-corruption agency

When Nestle announced the suspension of exports and imports to Russia, except for “essential and basic goods for the local people,” it gave the mistaken impression that it planned to leave, according to Oleksandr Novikov, the head of the corruption prevention agency

CrimeaSOS calls for sanctions against Russian and illegitimate judges in occupied Crimea for violations of the right to a fair trial in fabricated criminal cases against Ukrainian citizens

CrimeaSOS calls for sanctions against Russian and illegitimate judges in occupied Crimea for violations of the right to a fair trial in fabricated criminal cases against Ukrainian citizens

Crimea SOS emphasizes that Russian judges and illegal “judges” in the temporarily occupied Crimea shall be held liable for the abovementioned violations within the Ukrainian jurisdiction, the International Criminal Court or under the mechanism of universal jurisdiction and shall be subjected to personal sanctions

Russia’s military budget is more than twice as large as Ukraine’s in 2024. Support from international partners is crucial – Minister Marchenko

Russia’s military budget is more than twice as large as Ukraine’s in 2024. Support from international partners is crucial – Minister Marchenko

Serhii Marchenko is sure that the reason for what is happening in the Middle East is also due to the international community's insufficient response to Russia's war against Ukraine

Parliamentarians from 51 countries reaffirmed Ukraine’s territorial integrity: Key moments from the Second Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimean Platform

Parliamentarians from 51 countries reaffirmed Ukraine’s territorial integrity: Key moments from the Second Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimean Platform

At the end of the plenary session, a Joint Declaration was signed by the participants of the summit, affirming the territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, including Crimea and Sevastopol, as well as assurance of the sovereignty of Ukraine as necessary preconditions for ending the war and establishing lasting peace in the region

Ghana and Sierra Leone сall on Putin to halt Russian aggression as it damages Africa

Ghana and Sierra Leone сall on Putin to halt Russian aggression as it damages Africa

Asiamah Amoako pointed out that the Russian war against Ukraine and the occupation of Ukrainian territories has brought "untold hardships, including even hunger," to other parts of the world, including his country

Trade ministers from G7 condemns Russian attacks on Ukrainian grain infrastructure

Trade ministers from G7 condemns Russian attacks on Ukrainian grain infrastructure

Russia has systematically targeted Ukraine's grain and port infrastructure since withdrawing from the agreement that allowed Kyiv to export its grain, which is crucial for global food security

Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant was likely the target of Russian drones last night – Zelenskyy

Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant was likely the target of Russian drones last night – Zelenskyy

The Ukrainian president pointed out that every Russian strike, especially ones as audacious as those targeting nuclear plants and other critical facilities, is an argument that the pressure on the terrorist state is insufficient

Russia is slowly killing the Crimean Tatar people in the temporarily occupied peninsula – Mufti of Crimea

Russia is slowly killing the Crimean Tatar people in the temporarily occupied peninsula – Mufti of Crimea

The Mufti of Crimea and Chairman of the Religious Administration of Muslims in Crimea, Aider Rustemov, declared that Russia is systematically oppressing the Crimean Tatar people in the temporarily occupied peninsula

An expert from Burkina Faso calls on the international community to support democratic forces in African countries where the Wagner Group operates

An expert from Burkina Faso calls on the international community to support democratic forces in African countries where the Wagner Group operates

Experts called on the international community to take action to bring the Wagner Group to justice and support democratic forces in African countries where the Wagnerites operate

Experts call for a new global security paradigm against the Russian threat

Experts call for a new global security paradigm against the Russian threat

Klishch emphasized the importance of implementing an exclusively Ukrainian formula for peace, as only Ukraine has the right to determine the conditions for ending the war. He believes that reevaluation of many aspects of the international order is inevitable to ensure the interaction of security and development

States from all continents urged to join the coalition to create a special tribunal for Russia

States from all continents urged to join the coalition to create a special tribunal for Russia

Ambassador-at-large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Anton Korynevych stresses the need to join forces to demonstrate that dictatorial regimes are responsible for their crimes, and thus, together with international partners, the world needs to prevent future conflicts and wars

Ukraine сalls for international action on revision of safety rules to protect nuclear power plants

Ukraine сalls for international action on revision of safety rules to protect nuclear power plants

Secretary of the Committee on Fuel Energy, Nuclear Policies and Security at International Center for Ukrainian Victory (ICUV) Viktoria Voitsitska called on international politicians and decision-makers to stop using the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as an excuse to close their eyes towards Russian terrorism

Despite international law, occupying authorities in Crimea order conscription of 2,500 locals

Despite international law, occupying authorities in Crimea order conscription of 2,500 locals

Russia also prosecute citizens of Ukraine in Crimea for evading service in the RF Armed Forces. As of 30 June 2023, the Crimean Human Rights Group has documented at least 468 criminal cases under RF CC Article 328 (“evading the service in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation”) sent to illegal “courts” in the occupied peninsula

The intelligence of the Great Britain accuses Russia of intending to mine grain corridor

The intelligence of the Great Britain accuses Russia of intending to mine grain corridor

Russia aims to refrain from openly causing the sinking of civilian vessels, instead "falsely laying blame" on Ukraine for conducting any attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea

Over 1300 Ukrainian children have been evacuated abroad for treatment since Russia’s war

Over 1300 Ukrainian children have been evacuated abroad for treatment since Russia’s war

Ukrainian children and adults with complex mine-blast wounds, burn injuries, oncological pathology, and diseases requiring complex, specialized treatment can be evacuated for treatment in foreign clinics

Law enforcement investigates 19 cases of journalists killed by Russians during full-scale invasion

Law enforcement investigates 19 cases of journalists killed by Russians during full-scale invasion

Law enforcement officers are investigating 19 cases of journalists killed by Russians on the territory of Ukraine during the full-scale invasion, according to the information from the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine regarding the status of investigations into the murders of journalists who died in the line of duty or as civilian victims of shelling. Institute of Mass Information, a non-profit organization that documents journalists’ rights violations and press freedom, reports.

Bloody Sparkles: Indian diamond giant Shree Ramkrishna Exports lands on List of International War Sponsors

Bloody Sparkles: Indian diamond giant Shree Ramkrishna Exports lands on List of International War Sponsors

About three-quarters of the diamonds come from Russia, but they are not accompanied by any official documents that could confirm their origin, according to a statement by the NAPC

Ukrainian government unveils blueprint for Crimea’s economic future

Ukrainian government unveils blueprint for Crimea’s economic future

The government believes that this economic model will help to rebuild Crimea and "make it a prosperous and attractive place to live and work"

“We Build Crimea” portal launched to unite businesses for the restoration of Crimea after its de-occupation

“We Build Crimea” portal launched to unite businesses for the restoration of Crimea after its de-occupation

ZMINA explains what the portal "We Build Crimea" is about, who it is intended for, and what opportunities it offers to both the Ukrainian peninsula and its residents

Over the past two years, 10 mass detentions of Crimean Tatars registered in Crimea

Over the past two years, 10 mass detentions of Crimean Tatars registered in Crimea

Since the beginning of 2021, at least 10 mass detentions have occurred in the temporarily occupied Crimea. Most incidents occurred near the buildings of Russia’s government institutions

Activists identified the route by which children from the occupied Ukrainian territories are deported to Belarus

Activists identified the route by which children from the occupied Ukrainian territories are deported to Belarus

Human rights defenders from Regional Center for Human Rights, a Ukrainian non-profit group and a member of the “5 am. Coalition” have identified the route and at least eight places where children abducted from the occupied territories of Ukraine are held in Belarus. The group presented its findings in a research paper released in early August 2023. 

LGBTIQ+ couple of a servicewoman and an activist got “married” in Kharkiv

LGBTIQ+ couple of a servicewoman and an activist got “married” in Kharkiv

On August 25, Alina Shevchenko, a servicewoman, and Stanislava Petlytsia, an activist, performed a “wedding” ceremony in Kharkiv, a city heavily damaged by Russian missiles. The performance took place near the Central Wedding Palace. The only difference between the celebration and an official wedding was that the women did not register their marriage at the registry office, which is currently legally impossible in Ukraine.

More than 180 educational institutions in Kyiv region, destroyed by Russians, restored

More than 180 educational institutions in Kyiv region, destroyed by Russians, restored

In the Kyiv region, 187 educational institutions that the Russian occupying forces destroyed have already been restored, according to the Kyiv Regional State Administration.

Ukrainian Institute presents an English-language guide on Ukrainian culture, personalities, and events

Ukrainian Institute presents an English-language guide on Ukrainian culture, personalities, and events

On Ukraine’s Independence Day, the Ukrainian Institute, a governmental agency focused on promoting Ukrainian culture, launched Insight UA, an English-language comprehensive guide to Ukrainian culture, personalities, and events, as noted in its press release. 

Political prisoner Rustem Seytmemetov’s health deteriorates

Political prisoner Rustem Seytmemetov’s health deteriorates

Political prisoner Rustem Seytmemetov’s eyesight has fallen, his blood pressure is constantly jumping, and his legs swell due to the hot weather – because of this, he has to take medication all the time.

Families of POWs and missing persons unite to oversee the work of state bodies in Ukraine

Families of POWs and missing persons unite to oversee the work of state bodies in Ukraine

The families of prisoners of war (POWs) and missing persons believe that Ukraine’s government’s plan to transfer the Commissioner for Missing Persons functions to three different agencies will significantly impair the families’ ability to communicate directly with the authorities and search for their loved ones. Therefore, they plan to create an association of civil society organizations to control the agencies involved in this issue.

Almost 80% of Ukrainian refugees and IDPs plan to return home, UN study

Almost 80% of Ukrainian refugees and IDPs plan to return home, UN study

76% of refugees and 82% of internally displaced Ukrainians plan to return home whenever possible. At the same time, about 15% of both refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) say they want to do so within the next three months.

Older people and some families with children refuse to leave the evacuation areas in Kharkiv region

Older people and some families with children refuse to leave the evacuation areas in Kharkiv region

Residents refuse to leave the areas designated for evacuation by the Ukrainian government from the Kupiansk area of the Kharkiv region despite the fierce fighting looms. Older people most often refuse to go.

Crimean Human Rights initiative sounds alarm over decreasing healthcare for civilians in occupied Crimea

Crimean Human Rights initiative sounds alarm over decreasing healthcare for civilians in occupied Crimea

According to Qirim Gayesi, the maintenance of healthcare institutions has been severely compromised since the onset of the Russian invasion. Heads of medical institutions in Crimea were instructed to send surgeons and surgical nurses to the Ministry of Defense of the occupying country

Crimean political prisoner Dmytro Shtyblikov is kept isolated

Crimean political prisoner Dmytro Shtyblikov is kept isolated

The health of Ukrainian political prisoner Dmytro Shtyblikov, who was convicted of “high treason” by Russia for the second time, is deteriorating. Russian occupying forces keep him in a complete information vacuum.

14% of Ukrainian journalists and bloggers faced wiretapping and surveillance, and 40% received threats – IMI

14% of Ukrainian journalists and bloggers faced wiretapping and surveillance, and 40% received threats – IMI

According to the Institute of Mass Information (IMI), a prominent human rights and media organization, 68% of media professionals and 82% of bloggers have faced increased cyber attacks since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine. 

The health of political prisoner Zevri Abseitov has significantly deteriorated

The health of political prisoner Zevri Abseitov has significantly deteriorated

Fatma Abseitova, Zevri’s wife, visited her husband with their children in Stavropol colony No. 1 in the village of Kochubeevskoye in the Russian Federation

More than 500 Ukrainian doctors are in Russian captivity

More than 500 Ukrainian doctors are in Russian captivity

More than 500 Ukrainian healthcare workers, both civilian and military, are currently being held captive by Russian occupying forces. According to Andriy Kryvtsov, head of the NGO Military Medics of Ukraine, they are subjected to ill-treatment and torture in prisons.

Almost 16% of respondents across Ukraine said they had witnessed Russian war crimes

Almost 16% of respondents across Ukraine said they had witnessed Russian war crimes

Almost 16% of Ukrainians across the country said they had witnessed Russian war crimes.

Russian occupying forces in Crimea detained 66 Crimean Tatars since January 2023

Russian occupying forces in Crimea detained 66 Crimean Tatars since January 2023

Crimean human rights activists recorded 140 cases of arrests on the peninsula, 93 of which were against members of the indigenous Crimean Tatar people. There were also 37 searches, 29 of them in the homes of Crimean Tatars

A resident of Nova Kakhovka, abducted three times, was found in one of the Simferopol detention centers

A resident of Nova Kakhovka, abducted three times, was found in one of the Simferopol detention centers

Leonid Kondratsky, a resident of Nova Kakhovka, Kherson region, has been held in the Simferopol Detention Center No. 2 for over a year in the temporarily occupied Crimea. Following Russia’s full-scale military invasion and occupying parts of the Kherson region of Ukraine, the man was kidnapped three times. The last time, he was never released, as reported by a Ukrainian non-profit organization, Crimean Human Rights Group.  

Mariupol policewoman Mariana Chechelyuk’s health has deteriorated significantly over the year of captivity

Mariupol policewoman Mariana Chechelyuk’s health has deteriorated significantly over the year of captivity

The health of Mariana Chechelyuk, a 22-year-old investigator from besieged Mariupol in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, whom the Russians took prisoner during the evacuation from Azovstal, has deteriorated significantly despite the guarantees of the United Nations and the Red Cross.

Political prisoner Server Mustafayev shares about poor conditions in Russian prison and lack of medical aid

Political prisoner Server Mustafayev shares about poor conditions in Russian prison and lack of medical aid

Maye Mustafayeva and her and Server’s children, eight-year-old Yusuf and five-year-old Naji visited the political prisoner in Tambov prison. The family was allowed to come for an extended three-day visit from July 3 to 6

Health condition of a Crimean political prisoner Volodymyr Dudka deteriorates

Health condition of a Crimean political prisoner Volodymyr Dudka deteriorates

The health condition of the Crimean political prisoner Volodymyr Dudka is deteriorating. Russian occupying forces do not provide him with medical care, according to Ilya Dudka, the son of Volodymyr Dudka.

Almost 80% of Ukrainians have relatives or friends wounded or killed due to Russia’s war

Almost 80% of Ukrainians have relatives or friends wounded or killed due to Russia’s war

The vast majority of Ukrainians – 78% – have close relatives or friends who have been injured or killed by the Russian invasion, according to the results of a sociological survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) on May 26-June 5, 2023.

126 Ukrainian women are in Russian captivity, most of them civilians

126 Ukrainian women are in Russian captivity, most of them civilians

As of the end of June 2023, 126 women are still in Russian captivity.

Russians handed under “preliminary custody” over a thousand children deported from Ukraine

Russians handed under “preliminary custody” over a thousand children deported from Ukraine

According to the data collected by Vazhnye Istorii, at least three times more children may be transferred to Russian families than the official claims

Occupation authorities in Ukrainian Crimea accused of using administrative resources to justify Russia’s war

Occupation authorities in Ukrainian Crimea accused of using administrative resources to justify Russia’s war

The occupying authorities regularly receive plans to collect "voluntary" aid for the Russian military, which are often funded by Crimean entrepreneurs. Representatives of businesses fear to disapprove of the imposed support for the Russian army due to potential repercussions from occupying bodies

European human rights court will review a complaint on the illegal detention of a Crimean journalist Iryna Danylovych

European human rights court will review a complaint on the illegal detention of a Crimean journalist Iryna Danylovych

The European Court of Human Rights took into consideration a complaint submitted by lawyers this January from a Ukrainian human rights group Crimea SOS about the illegal detention and persecution by Russian occupying authorities of a civic journalist Iryna Danylovych from Feodosiya in the Eastern part of the Crimean peninsula.

Human rights crisis in occupied Crimea: wave of persecution targeted voices against Russia and its war in 2022

Human rights crisis in occupied Crimea: wave of persecution targeted voices against Russia and its war in 2022

Crimean human rights defenders characterized the crackdown on dissent in the occupied Crimean Peninsula as part of a broader campaign by the Russian authorities to silence all opposition to their policies in the region

Volunteer Yaroslav Zhuk stated that he was tortured in the Rostov pre-trial detention center

Volunteer Yaroslav Zhuk stated that he was tortured in the Rostov pre-trial detention center

Yaroslav Zhuk made a statement about torture with a shocker and brutal beating by officials of the Rostov-on-Don pre-trial detention center as soon as the court hearing in his case based on trumped-up charges began in early June of this year. Zhuk is a car mechanic and a resident of Melitopol, a city in the Zaporizhzhia region occupied by Russian forces since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Russian occupying forces detained at least 18 Crimeans to check their involvement in subversive actions during the last months

Russian occupying forces detained at least 18 Crimeans to check their involvement in subversive actions during the last months

Human rights defenders in Crimea suspect that the number of enforced kidnappings and detentions among Crimean Tatars, in fact, is much higher. People may conceal these incidents, fearing further repressions

Moscow court detained Crimean Tatar Leniie Umerova, who traveled to her cancer-stricken father in the temporarily occupied Crimea, on ‘espionage’ charges.

Moscow court detained Crimean Tatar Leniie Umerova, who traveled to her cancer-stricken father in the temporarily occupied Crimea, on ‘espionage’ charges.

According to the Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the girl did not even have time to finish her previous administrative detention, when she was abducted by the FSB and taken to Moscow, to the Lefortovo detention center

Qirim Gayesi: Russian-installed law enforcement agencies threatened and attacked іndependent lawyers in temporarily occupied Crimea in 2022

Qirim Gayesi: Russian-installed law enforcement agencies threatened and attacked іndependent lawyers in temporarily occupied Crimea in 2022

From the first days of the invasion, Russian-installed law enforcement agencies began unofficially threatening lawyers that they would be subjected to martial law. Later, a series of attacks ensued, including the arrest of lawyers, disbarment, and blocking of their mobile connections

Russian forces continue to violate the property rights of Ukrainians in temporarily occupied Crimea, flouting the Geneva Convention – Crimean human rights defenders

Russian forces continue to violate the property rights of Ukrainians in temporarily occupied Crimea, flouting the Geneva Convention – Crimean human rights defenders

The confiscation of properties violates international law and highlights the ongoing aggressive policies of the Russian occupiers

Kidnapped Ukrainians are subjected to torture both by the Russian military and FSB – Crimean human rights defenders

Kidnapped Ukrainians are subjected to torture both by the Russian military and FSB – Crimean human rights defenders

When the full-scale invasion  started, monitors of the Crimean Human Rights Group (CHRG) have begun to get information from the occupied settlements of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions that Ukrainian civilians abducted in these territories by the Russian military, the Rosguard, or the FSB are being transported to places of detention in Crimea