russia once again spreads false claims about “secret prisons” in Ukraine
russian propaganda has revived an old narrative alleging the existence of “secret prisons” in Ukraine for captured russian servicemen.
▫️ In an interview with propagandists, the so-called ambassador-at-large of the ministry of foreign affairs of the russian federation on the alleged crimes of the “Kyiv regime,” rodion miroshnik, claimed that there are “basements” and “secret prisons” where russian prisoners of war are allegedly tortured, subjected to “electric chairs,” and used in staged recordings.
▫️ Similar stories have been disseminated by russian propaganda since 2014. However, throughout this period, the claims about “secret prisons” in Ukraine have remained merely high-profile allegations, with no evidence to substantiate their existence.
Such information campaigns have an obvious purpose — to discredit Ukraine and deflect responsibility for russia’s war crimes.
Ukraine adheres to international humanitarian law in its treatment of prisoners of war. Representatives of international organizations have regular access to places of detention and report no violations.
In contrast, numerous documented cases of torture, ill-treatment, and complete isolation of Ukrainian prisoners of war concern russia itself.
