Russia Is Returning Ukrainian POW’s Bodies Without Internal Organs

The bodies of Ukrainian prisoners of war are being returned to Ukraine without internal organs. This suggests that they could be used for organ transplants in Russia.

This was discussed at a meeting in Ankara between representatives of the families of prisoners of war and the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to Turkey Vasyl Bodnar, according to Ukrinform.

“Today, it is clear that we receive not only the bodies of tortured prisoners of war during exchanges but also bodies that are unfortunately missing internal organs. This confirms that the black market for organ transplantation in the Russian Federation is active and, regrettably, involves our prisoners of war. Therefore, I believe this information must be shared with the entire world to halt this crime.”” said the wife of one of the prisoners of war, a defender of Mariupol.

“I would also like to ask Turkey, as the patron country in resolving all humanitarian issues related to the exchange of prisoners of war, to speak out,” added the wife of the prisoner of war. She stressed that Russia refuses to return and include the prisoners of war of the Mariupol garrison on the exchange lists.

“This is a real pain that motivates us to work faster and stimulate our international partners to take certain actions. One of the main demands is to create an international medical commission that would investigate the conditions of our prisoners of war and help them fight health problems… And this is one of the messages that was conveyed to the Turkish side,” Ukrainian Ambassador to Turkey Vasyl Bodnar stated.

While in Ankara, representatives of the families of prisoners of war of Mariupol met with Chief Advisor to the President of Turkey Yalçın Topçu and Chief Ombudsman of Turkey Şeref Malkoç.

The return of POW bodies without internal organs is not just a humanitarian issue but constitutes a war crime under international law. The act of removing organs from POWs violates the Geneva Conventions, which protect the dignity and rights of prisoners of war. Such actions, if confirmed, could be subject to international prosecution and sanctions.