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March 06, 2025 – Russia –
A detailed investigation has exposed a vast network of Russian detention centers in occupied Ukrainian territories, where civilians—including journalists—are being held, tortured, and interrogated under accusations of resistance or mere suspicion of loyalty to Ukraine. The system, often masked as “filtration,” has become a tool for silencing voices and instilling fear among populations under Russian control.
According to an in-depth report by The Washington Post, based on interviews with over 100 former detainees and data compiled by Ukrainian officials, Russia has detained more than 10,000 Ukrainian civilians since the invasion began. These individuals were held in over 40 identified facilities across occupied areas, with some moved to Russian prisons or labor camps. Among the detained were community leaders, teachers, volunteers, and journalists—anyone perceived as a threat to Russian dominance.
Journalists, in particular, have become deliberate targets. The Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union and Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group (KHPG) have documented several cases where media workers were abducted, interrogated, and accused of espionage or promoting anti-Russian sentiment. One notable case is that of Ivan Fedorov, a Melitopol journalist and city official, who was abducted in 2022, beaten, and accused of “terrorism” before being exchanged in a prisoner swap. His case mirrors a broader trend: journalists and civic actors being treated as enemy combatants rather than civilians.
Ukraine’s Prosecutor General has classified these actions as war crimes. Many former detainees described electric shocks, waterboarding, and forced confessions, indicating a pattern of torture aimed at extracting information or breaking morale. The facilities, often set up in former police stations or administrative buildings, are hidden from international monitors, and access to detainees is denied.
Russia denies the allegations, framing its actions as security measures during a military operation. However, the evidence continues to grow, pointing to a calculated strategy to erase Ukrainian identity and quash resistance in occupied zones.
The international community, including the United Nations and the International Criminal Court, faces increasing pressure to investigate and hold Russian authorities accountable. As more survivors speak out, the silenced stories of journalists and civilians imprisoned for simply being Ukrainian are beginning to resound across the world stage.
Reference –
https://khpg.org/en/1608814479
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2025/russia-detention-ukraine-civilians-occupation/
