More than 25,000 Ukrainians are considered civilian hostages of Russia

More than 25 thousand citizens of Ukraine are considered civilian hostages of the Russian Federation.

Dmytro Lubinets, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada, announced this during the All-Ukrainian Human Rights Forum “Legion of Law”.

“On July 6, another return of prisoners took place. As of today, we have managed to return 2,576 citizens of Ukraine, of which 144 are civilian hostages. Now there are more than 25,000 civilian hostages in Russian captivity alone. How long will Ukraine need to return all its citizens? If an effective mechanism is not launched, it will take years, decades. Every day, the Russian Federation subjects our citizens to torture. We record it,” Lubinets said.

The ombudsman said that in some cases exchanges take place thanks to cooperation with civil society. He did not reveal the details, but thanked everyone who is involved in this process.

The Human Rights Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada once again appealed to the international community to help Ukraine return all its citizens.

On July 6, Ukraine returned 45 soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service and two civilians from Russian captivity.