Two years after a tragic explosion at a penal colony in Russian-occupied Olenivka, Donetsk Oblast, where at least 54 Ukrainian prisoners of war lost their lives and over 150 were injured, Russia continues to obstruct investigations. The United Nations (U.N.) reported on July 25 that Russia has hindered international efforts to probe the incident and tampered with evidence.
According to international humanitarian law, prisoners of war must be treated humanely, and any violation should be duly investigated and prosecuted. This law was blatantly disregarded by Russia in the Olenivka attack, which Ukraine has labeled a deliberate war crime.
The U.N. debunked Russia’s claim that the explosion was caused by a Ukrainian rocket and highlighted the inhumane conditions endured by the prisoners. The lack of accountability for the tragedy fits into a broader pattern of torture against Ukrainian POWs by Russia.
The Azov Regiment has urged the world to remember the Olenivka atrocity and hold Russia accountable for its crimes. The survivors’ testimonies paint a grim picture of the heinous incident.
It is a reminder of the violations of warfare principles and treatment of prisoners of war, emphasizing the urgency of justice and accountability.