The Ukrainian authorities reported on the first more or less large group of Russian prisoners in August 2014.

Then 10 Russian paratroopers were captured - natives of Kostroma, Grozny and Novosibirsk.

They invaded Ukraine on the BMD and were captured near the village of Dzerkalne, Amvrosiiv district, Donetsk region.

At a press conference at the Security Service of Ukraine, they stated that they got lost with their weapons.

Now, in 2022, the number of prisoners has increased many times, but the Russians' explanations have hardly changed.

Why does Russia not want to see some of the prisoners, why does Ukraine feed them in captivity the way our army - the officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine - and what kind of parcels are they going to send to the mothers of Ukrainian prisoners - this is what Deputy Minister of Justice of Ukraine Olena Vysotska told in an interview with TSN.ua .

It ensures the implementation of state policy in the field of execution of criminal punishments.

For the first time in the history of independence, a large number of Russian prisoners of war and prisoners from our occupied territories appeared in Ukraine.

How was their maintenance organized?

Who were the first prisoners?

In the first days of the war, it was necessary to keep the penitentiary system in normal mode.

In addition, a new function has appeared for us - work with prisoners.

We did not prepare for this, because a country that consciously plans a war can have preparation.

We had to quickly learn the norms of international humanitarian law, build a system that would meet all international norms and show Ukraine as a civilized country.

With all this, it was necessary to build a system that would preserve the interests of the country, because prisoners are an opportunity to return Ukrainian heroes from Russian captivity.

The first days the prisoners were in the military, so we had several days to prepare.

We all quickly mobilized in this matter.

For the convenience of our soldiers, precincts for prisoners were created in those regions that are close to the front line.

it was done

so that our military does not have to spend significant resources on transporting and guarding prisoners.

After some time, a decision was made to create a special camp.

When did the first prisoners appear in the institutions?

Already at the end of February?

At the beginning of March, when all the reasons for keeping prisoners in the respective precincts were formalized.

The fact is that the creation of the order on the creation of precincts took some time.

Secondly, the prisoners were initially held by the military.

What was the number of the first prisoners of war?

Hundreds

How did they behave and what was the relationship with them in the institutions?

The first prisoners are characterized by their explanations of how they ended up in Ukraine.

They told about the training in which they got lost.

It was a mass of confused people who were amazed that they were not being tortured, that they had a bed and were warm.

Some of them shared with us their impressions that the conditions in captivity are much better than in the barracks.

If any of the prisoners were wounded on the battlefield, they were given medical care in our institutions.

If the institution has a TV and books, then it is also available for prisoners.

Some of them, who are kept in the camp, said that after their release, instead of exchanging love, they would move their family to Ukraine.

Other captives dream of exchange, ask about it, and negotiate about it.

We answer that we did not invite them to Ukraine.

By the way, after the exchange, after arriving in Russia, these same prisoners tell journalists,

that they were beaten here.

Although they thanked us for our good attitude and condemned Putin. 

Tell us more about the conditions of prisoners

These relations are no longer regulated by domestic legislation, but by international humanitarian law, the Geneva Convention.

It talks about the prevention of torture, food standards, correspondence, and unimpeded access of Red Cross inspectors.

As for leisure time, we do not see a threat to our state if prisoners watch TV.

If available.

Correspondence with relatives is a direct norm of the Geneva Convention.

We also settled the issue of the right to make phone calls.

We warn you that the conversation is being recorded.

Prisoners are kept in precincts in cells of 6-10 people, and in the camp there is a dormitory.

What is the current number of prisoners?

In the interest of the country and the negotiating groups conducting the exchange, we do not disclose this information.

Even daily statistics will be provided after the war.

It might hurt to disclose it now.

What is the average age of prisoners of war?

How old are the youngest and the oldest?

The youngest is 18 years old, closer to 19. In general, there are many young people under 25 years old.

The oldest is 63 years old.

But the average age is 20-25, 30-35 years.

Are there more Russians or residents from the occupied territories among the prisoners?

In the beginning, there was no advantage.

Among the prisoners from the eastern direction, there are more residents of the "LDNR", from the Kharkiv and southern directions - Russians.

Russians are not interested in residents of the "LDNR" for exchange.

They generally cross them off the list.

They were used and that was it.

The Ministry of Justice published photos showing how prisoners work and produce pallets.

What else do they do?

Not only pallets.

They produce gift and household bags, cardboard boxes.

Someone fantasizes about labor force (in the form of prisoners - Ed.) to restore the country.

The labor productivity of people who can't do anything but fight, and they don't fight very well, if they find themselves in captivity, this productivity is low.

Do they teach them to make pallets and make bags?

We are not obliged to teach.

Making a pallet according to the scheme is simple.

Is work mandatory?

This is not mandatory.

They are offered, but there is no protest among them.

A person can stay in bed for a week or two.

If no exchange is expected for a particular prisoner, then thanks to work he is distracted and has the opportunity to organize his day.

They eat, sleep in warmth, so they understand that work is compensation for their expenses.

Do they do their job well?

Is this how they fight?

We have selected materials and products that do not meet high quality standards.

So that they don't spoil our materials.

When it comes to work, we must understand that Russians who are not interested in Russia from the point of view of exchange, or residents of the "LDNR" are working.

What is the routine of a captured enemy?

They have the right to sleep for 8 hours, three meals according to the standards of the Geneva Convention.

The standards are similar to the standards for officers of the Armed Forces.

They wake up at six in the morning, they are given time to put themselves in order, to recharge.

In addition, there are certain regime moments.

For example, roll calls.

If there is work, they work.

There is also free time, time for eating.

Kickoff is at 10 p.m.  

Are they fed with what is provided for the officers of Ukraine?

So.

This is such a feature.

What exactly is on the menu?

There is a certain requirement for caloric content.

Definitely - meat, fish.

Also cereals, vegetables.

There are no fruits and such delicious things as candies in the list.

Are there among the prisoners Russians who were captured at the beginning of the invasion and are still not of interest to Russia in terms of exchange?

There are those who are accused of war crimes or against whom there is a court decision regarding such crimes.

Such people are very interesting to Russians.

Recently, a video was made public where the Russians are recruiting prisoners for war.

Is Ukraine ready for such recidivist prisoners?

They are just getting to such recruitment, then there will be staffing, training.

We will deal with such prisoners a little later.

From the point of view of the security regime, we will have a little more difficulty with such people than with those who are lost.

Perhaps we will have increased security for this category.

If a prisoner is held not in a special camp, but in a precinct in a regular prison, does it mean that their neighbors are Ukrainian prisoners?

So.

But our prisoners do not even have the opportunity to see the prisoners.

First of all, it is important for the safety of the prisoners themselves.

All sections of our population are very patriotic (smiles - Ed.), including Ukrainian prisoners.

Are there women among the prisoners?

No, but we have provided places for them.

Did any of the prisoners try to escape from the camp or other institution?

No.

We had no regime problems with them.

I think it's not because they like being in captivity, but because they fear for their lives and health.

Some of them commented that they are in danger from people on the streets of Ukrainian cities.

Were there statements of desire to switch to the side of the Armed Forces among the prisoners?

I admit that there could be such statements.

Someone could do it consciously, someone out of fear, someone manipulatively.

But if we talk about the practice of signing such a release from captivity, there was no such thing.

Are there those who refuse to exchange?

There are facts of refusals.

They are not mass, individual.

The police are investigating the reasons.

While the war is going on, they are held on the basis of prisoner status.    

Did any of the relatives of the Russian prisoners express a desire to visit?

They are even more frightened by our "Nazism".

No, they didn't try.

But there is an organization with which negotiations are underway to make visits bilateral - so that the mothers of Russian and Ukrainian prisoners can visit their sons.

There were plans to do a campaign with parcels.

So that the mothers of Ukrainian prisoners send goodies to Russian prisoners, and Russian goodies to Ukrainians.

The action did not take place, negotiations are still ongoing.

Are there Kadyrovs among the prisoners?

They are, but they go to exchange very quickly.

Sometimes, not even a month passes.

Read also: 

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