Russia Demands Ransom and Uses Emotional Manipulation on Families of Captured Ukrainian Soldiers

Russian intelligence services and military personnel are attempting to exert influence on the relatives of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs), in particular, making phone calls to families immediately after Ukrainian soldiers are captured.

This was reported by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War on January 27 on Facebook.

“In some cases, families receive calls directly from the battlefield, immediately after the defender is captured. These calls are meant to shock, apply emotional pressure, and coerce the relatives into cooperating,” the Coordination Headquarters statement reads.

Russian authorities promise improved treatment for their captured loved ones in exchange for specific demands.

“The captors often promise better treatment for the prisoner or even inclusion in an exchange, provided the families fulfill certain demands: paying money, providing intimate photos, gathering information, or engaging in illegal activities,” the statement said.

The organization experts have urged families not to agree to any demands from Russian military personnel and to immediately report such incidents by calling the designated hotline.

On January 16, a Ukrainian delegation led by Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets called on Russian representatives to allow Red Cross access to all Ukrainian POWs.

Russia has consistently denied the International Committee of the Red Cross access to Ukrainian POWs, violating its obligations under the Geneva Conventions.