Ukraine’s Human Rights Ombudsman highlighted the lack of Red Cross visits to Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russian captivity. While the ICRC stated they visited 3,100 prisoners in both countries, most were Russian POWs held by Ukraine, leaving Ukrainian captives neglected. President Zelensky confirmed the release of 3,310 prisoners but noted 8,000 Ukrainians still captive in Russia.
The ICRC’s neutrality has been questioned due to limited visits to Ukrainian POWs and failure to disclose figures. Families of captives face communication barriers, prompting a petition rejected by the government. The plight of Ukrainian civilians in Russian prisons remains dire, with the ICRC providing minimal information.