The database will include information about the defenders of Ukraine, those in captivity of the aggressor state and civilians deprived of personal freedom as a result of armed aggression.
Return of prisoners
In Ukraine, an information system is being created on the treatment of prisoners, which will include information about the defenders of Ukraine who are in captivity of the aggressor state, civilian prisoners and missing persons. The Cabinet of Ministers adopted a corresponding Resolution.
“The document normalizes the functioning of the Coordination Headquarters for the treatment of prisoners of war and electronic interaction between interested government bodies,” the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
In particular, The information system database will include information about:
- defenders of Ukraine who are in captivity of the aggressor state
- civilians deprived of personal freedom as a result of armed aggression
- persons missing in connection with an armed conflict, military operations, temporary occupation of part of the territory of Ukraine
The work of the Coordination Headquarters for the treatment of prisoners of war will also be improved. In particular, they normalize the activities of public receptions of the Coordination Headquarters and grant operating rights to the corresponding regional centers.
It is noted that from now on the Coordination Headquarters receives the authority to repatriate the bodies (remains) of defenders and expands the possibilities for the return from captivity of civilians deprived of personal freedom as a result of armed aggression.
- At the end of January 2024, it was reported that more than 8 thousand Ukrainians, civilian and military, were still in Russian captivity. As part of the exchanges between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, 2,681 Ukrainian military personnel and 147 civilians were returned home.
- The health status of those who returned from Russian captivity is quite poor. Most of them need rehabilitation; they have chronic diseases that require medical attention. More than 90% of those who returned say they were tortured.
- Russia is using Ukrainian prisoners of war to provoke protests inside Ukraine. Soldiers are forced to make phone calls to their relatives and urge them to “take to the streets.”
- Meanwhile, Ukraine plans to create a third camp to hold Russian prisoners of war.