Russia is systematically using torture and deliberately denying medical care to Ukrainian prisoners of war, in violation of the Geneva Conventions and constituting a war crime, according to Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada Olena Kondratiuk.
She said this during the presentation of the study "Violations of Prisoners of War Rights to Healthcare and Medical Treatment: Consequences, Qualification and Prospects," an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
According to Kondratiuk, Ukraine has managed to bring home more than 9,000 citizens since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, including more than 400 civilians.
"About 7,000 Ukrainian prisoners of war are currently being held in Russian captivity. The number of civilians ranges from 10,000 to 20,000 Ukrainians. More than 95% of Ukrainian POWs are subjected to torture and cruel treatment in Russian captivity," she said.
According to her, Russia returns prisoners in extremely severe condition, bearing signs of torture, without proper medical care, and often suffering irreversible health consequences.
