Since 2014, hundreds of Ukrainians—both men and women—have died in Russian camps, penal colonies, and prisons. Thousands remain in captivity; we cannot even state their exact number, as many people are held incommunicado by the aggressor state. As a result, many detainees are considered missing. To remember, to speak up, not to forget —this is the very least we can do for prisoners of war and civilian detainees.

Hundreds of Ukrainian POWs are executed on the battlefield immediately after capture, or later die in captivity due to starvation and brutal treatment. Civilian detainees die from torture and the denial of medical care. The terrorist attack in Olenivka, which killed at least 53 defenders of Mariupol, and the death of journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna are among the most widely known—but sadly not isolated—cases.

Crimea, occupied by Russia in 2014, became the first territory where Russia began repressing dissenters. Today, this includes Crimean Tatars, Ukrainian activists, independent journalists, and anyone who dares to express disagreement with the policies of the occupation authorities. Repression in Crimea continues to this day.

The Russian occupation authorities suppress any independent reporting on events in the occupied territories or on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Those who dare to support and develop Ukrainian culture are labeled “enemies” of Russian ideology. As a result, journalists and cultural figures are subjected to pressure from Russia’s repressive machine.

Russian occupiers persecute all dissenting and “suspected” individuals, including women. In addition to torture and cruel treatment, conflict-related sexual violence is a systematic practice against them.

Thousands of Ukrainian children are taken to Russia by the occupation authorities, where they are indoctrinated, placed in new “families,” and enrolled in educational institutions. The aim of these actions is to destroy the children’s Ukrainian identity and turn them into “new Russians.”