(15 October, 2024 – EPC, Brussels)
Speakers:
- Anastasiia Lytvynenko, “Azov” brigade officer, former prisoner of war
- Andriy Kostin, Prosecutor General of Ukraine
- Eugenia Synelnyk, Member of “Azovstal Defenders Families Association”, sister of a captured and convicted “Azov” brigade member
- Inge Thygesen, Counsellor and Coordinator of Norwegian Support to Ukraine, Mission of Norway to the EU
- Marianna Khomeriki, Staff Member at the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, UAF Captain, Communications Specialist
- Nestor Barchuck, “Azov” brigade officer
- Serhii Rotchuk, “Azov” brigade officer, combat medic, defender of Mariupol, former prisoner of war
Moderator:
- Amanda Paul, Deputy Head of the Europe in the World Programme, European Policy Centre and Manager of Ukraine’s European Future Project
Amanda Paul started the panel drawing attention to the widespread and systematic torture and mistreatment – and even execution – of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) in Russia. She raised questions about what more could be done to free and support them, and how we could secure better detainment for them, also wondering about how international oversight could be improved to get more countries involved and more Ukrainian heroes back.
In his opening statement, Andriy Kostin outlined the humanitarian and legal issues deriving from Russia ignoring all international rules. Ukrainians in the hands of Russia are the most vulnerable, as they are not only tortured and ill-treated, but even executed – which are strictly prohibited by international humanitarian law. Russia even denies Ukrainian soldiers the POW status and by subjecting up to 90% of them to torture, causes long-lasting trauma. Ukrainian POWs are prosecuted for crimes adopted following their capture, such as ‘participation in a terrorist organisation’ or ‘attempts to overthrow the government of Russia’s proxy regimes in occupied territories’. Russia clearly just wants to collectively punish Ukrainian POWs for the mere fact that they are defending their country. Civilians are not in better position either, as Russia is eradicating prominent figures within the Ukrainian community. Russia is targeting and trying to destroy Ukrainian identity. Rape, sexual and gender-based violence committed against Ukrainian women is also used by Russians as a method of war. Kostin emphasized that much remains to be done and urged the need of a collective response from the international community. Besides securing the accountability of Russians, the goal is to ensure proper care and rehabilitation for returnees.
Kostin assumes that our response to such crimes should be in line of international law. The victims and survivors want to see justice being served, in which the International Criminal Court and the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine are trying to help. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) works with Ukraine as well, and its report on civilian detainees is first of a kind. International fact findings and monitoring mechanisms have many important dimensions, such as showing Russia’s true face and trying to ensure proper response by alerting the international community. Ukraine uses the findings in national investigations too. Horizontal cooperation with third states is another significant dimension, as more than twenty countries are part of joint investigations, with successful cases, like in the United States and Lithuania.
Nestor Barchuck introduced the Azov brigade which was established in 2014 as a volunteer unit and played a role in the defence of Mariupol that year and in 2022 too. It is considered as one of the most effective units, so much so, that it has become one of the symbols of fierce resistance for Russians and the main target of their propaganda and hate. The brigade was stripped of Western weapons and trainings for a while because of Russian narratives framing them as nazis and far-right, even if in reality, they do not have any politically oriented groups. In Mariupol, they are now facing trials and being convicted for made-up reasons. Barchuck underlined the need to win the war to get Azov POWs back, as they are treated especially bad in Russian captivity.
Serhii Rotchuk explained that the Azov brigade was always built on NATO standards, and Western military science helped them become an effective unit with good results in military operations, even with Soviet weapons. To this day, they continue to build the unit on their own which makes Russians crazy. The unit fought for Mariupol without any help and stood their ground, that is why Azov members have a ‘special place’ in Russian minds. No wonder why they are in worse positions in captivity, having to endure physical and mental torture, without any contact with relatives. Rotchuk underlined that Ukraine still follows international human rights standards related to POWs, even if Russia does not.
Barchuck talked about how Western armament ban was lifted, when it became clear that there was no proof or evidence that Azov was connected to nazis. According to Barchuck, people not wanting to be Russians or part of Russia is enough for Russians to use the nazi narrative. The denazification of Ukraine is a commonly used narrative in Vladimir Putin’s ‘special operation’ too, because nazi accusations dehumanize and demonize Ukrainians. Barchuck drew attention to the fact that the International Committee of the Red Cross Committee has access to Russian POWs in Ukraine, but not to Ukrainian POWs in Russia. So, what should we do in the clash of democracy and dictatorship? – he asked. Where does the international security system fail?
Serhii Rotchuk was involved in a prisoner exchange, and he painted a vivid picture about his experience. How it happens is, one day, Russians come and say your surname, tell you to take your clothes and lead you somewhere. You have no idea if they are taking you to another jail or something worse. They bring you to a plane, and that is when you understand that it is probably a prisoner exchange. And then, you finally arrive home. Rotchuk emphasized that Ukraine has good rehabilitation mechanisms with medical screenings, which are especially important, since there are usually huge medical problems after tortures. He highlighted that his country is ready to share these experiences, but hopes that European countries will never need it. In Ukraine, Russian POWs get first aid too, saving sometimes not only their health, but their life too. This is yet another difference between the two worlds.
With the help of an interpreter, Anastasiia Lytvynenko also shared her prisoner exchange experience, which was quite similar to Rotchuk’s. They did not know where Russians were going to take them. They made them stand with face to the wall, they called their last names and then led them out of the room with their backs turned. They covered their eyes and took them to a car. On the way to the airport, they were emotionally pressed, and only when the plane landed were they told that they came back home. Lytvynenko expressed that it was perhaps the happiest moment, but reminded that there are many prisoners still in captivity.
Marianna Khomeriki highlighted that the problem is that they do not have much information about POWs. Neither Russia, nor international organisations give information, so Ukrainians can only wonder if their relatives are still alive. On the other hand, Russian POWs have special camps in Ukraine, they can write letters, have phone calls, choose what to eat. Ukrainian POWs have nothing as those who have been released share some details. Khomeriki emphasized that they want international organisation to work on their mandate, that is why they came to the event, to tell the story and get some help. She added that the problem with Azov POWs is that Russians do not want to negotiate about them, so exchanging them is exceptional.
Eugenia Synelnyk represented the families who are waiting for POWs, as her brother has been in captivity for two years now. He was isolated for six months, tortured and then illegally sentenced to stay in a high security colony for 27 years. Although, it is common knowledge that it will not end there, Russia sentences people to full life. Synelnyk underlined how difficult it is to talk about these experiences, how sensitive this topic is – especially hearing and thinking about that one of our loved ones is tortured.
Inge Thygesen stressed that supporting Ukraine and holding Russia accountable will be the number one priority of Norwegian foreign policy, and keeping up the rule-based international system is the guiding principle. He expressed that the seriousness of the situation calls all of us to act. Canada, Norway and Ukraine already have a group to promote point 4 of Ukraine’s 10-point peace formula. At the end of October, they will hold a conference in Montreal based on that, with the aim to raise global awareness. It is crucial to amplify pressure on the Russian Federation to comply with international law, so Thygesen suggested to everyone to encourage their country’s ministers to travel to Montreal, because it would be a small, but still important effort to assist Ukrainians. Not only politicians, but experts, representatives of civil society, and former POWs are also expected to be there.
Barchuck closed the panel listing the most important tasks: for the International Committee of the Red Cross to have access to Ukrainian POWs, for the international community to encourage the investigations of the International Criminal Court, and for Ukraine to win the war. Barchuck warned about Russians already calling Poland a nazi country, which suggests that they would go further to the West if they were not stopped.
You can watch the event here: