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Russia Hides Tortured Ukrainian POWs From Red Cross, OSCE Investigation Finds
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Russia continues to restrict the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from freely accessing Ukrainian prisoners of war, according to a report released by an independent expert mission of the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism.
The findings indicate that Moscow presents only those detainees in relatively good condition while concealing sick, injured, or tortured prisoners.
According to Ukrinform, Professor Hervé Ascensio of France said cooperation with Russia remains “extremely complicated,” noting that although some visits have occurred, they were limited and did not cover all detention sites.
“We believe the International Committee of the Red Cross performs a difficult job, but unfortunately there is evidence that the organization does not have free access to detention facilities,” Ascensio stated.
Czech professor Veronika Bílková explained that ICRC’s mandate includes two key tasks—visiting prisoners of war and collecting information through national information bureaus.
While some visits to Russian facilities have taken place, she emphasized that access is frequently restricted. “Representatives of the ICRC are often not allowed to visit all detention sites or speak with prisoners in private, although this should be the rule,” Bílková said.
The report also raises concerns about Russia’s National Information Bureau. Established under the Ministry of Defense in early 2022, it is supposed to provide prisoner data to the ICRC’s Central Tracing Agency.
However, Bílková noted that the Russian bureau remains opaque. “Data about the Ukrainian bureau is easily available, even with a website. By contrast, information about the Russian bureau is practically nonexistent—only a phone number for relatives of prisoners,” she said.
Swedish professor Mark Klamberg cited testimonies of released Ukrainian prisoners who reported that Russian authorities selectively presented detainees in good health during ICRC visits.
“Those who were sick or had suffered ill-treatment were not accessible to the ICRC. Everything was controlled by the Russian authorities, although the ICRC should have free access,” Klamberg stressed.
According to the OSCE report, the documented practices include executions, systematic torture, denial of fair trial rights, and detention in inhumane conditions. Experts concluded that these actions constitute violations of international law and may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity.
Earlier, The Wall Street Journal revealed that Russian prison guards were ordered to torture Ukrainian POWs, with top officials urging them to “be brutal, show no mercy.” Evidence includes electric shocks, beatings, and denial of medical care.
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