“This Is a War Crime”: Lithuania Slams Russia for Abducting Civilians From Ukraine’s Sumy Region

Lithuania has sharply condemned the abduction of more than 50 Ukrainian civilians by Russian forces from the village of Hrabovske in Ukraine’s Sumy region, calling the incident a war crime and demanding the immediate release of those taken.

According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys on December 22, the civilians, many of whom are elderly, were forcibly removed by Russian armed forces and taken to Russian territory.

Budrys noted that the incident once again demonstrates Russia’s conduct during its war against Ukraine.

“This targeting of mostly elderly residents once again exposes Russia’s utter cynicism and shows that it has no limits. This is a war crime—and Russia will not escape responsibility for this and all the other crimes it has committed against Ukraine,” the minister wrote.

Lithuania also rejected Russia’s claims of seeking peace, arguing that Moscow continues to undermine international efforts aimed at ending the war. According to Budrys, “Contrary to Ukraine, Russia is not interested neither in ceasefire, nor in comprehensive, just and lasting peace,” and is instead “doing everything to disrupt the international efforts to achieve such a peace.”

The minister urged international organizations to respond decisively, stressing that international law remains in force.

“Russia’s terrorist actions should not be seen and perceived as a new normal,” the statement read, noting that the Geneva Conventions and the mandates of international organizations have not been suspended. “Actions, and not silence, is what makes you relevant in times of war, and in times of peace.”

Earlier, it was reported that Russian forces gathered civilians inside a local church before removing them from the village of Hrabovske in Ukraine’s Sumy region. The people taken were largely elderly residents who had previously refused to evacuate.

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