Captured by Russians: Two Years of Torture and Horror
Photos of Ukrainian Prisoner of War Expose Russian Brutality
Heartbreaking images have surfaced, revealing the harrowing condition of Ukrainian prisoner of war Gorilyk Roman Vasilyevich, who was left extremely weak and fragile after enduring two years of brutality at the hands of Russian forces. Vasilyevich, a former National Guardsman, returned home in a state of emaciation that shocked the world, following his release along with 73 other prisoners on May 31.
Critics condemned the treatment of Vasilyevich, stating that Russia had flagrantly violated the Geneva Conventions by subjecting him to such inhumane conditions. Ukraine called on global authorities to hold Russia accountable for using the suffering of individuals as a weapon in the ongoing conflict.
Photographs of Vasilyevich, showcasing his visibly protruding spine and ribcage, were shared as part of the state’s ‘Hochu zhyt’ project in collaboration with the Coordination Center for the Treatment of Prisoners of War and the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. The camps where Vasilyevich and other prisoners were held were described as ‘Russian dungeons’, highlighting the horrors endured by those detained.
Despite the provisions of the Geneva Conventions, none of the prisoners were allowed to be seen by officials from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), a glaring violation of international law. The ICRC is mandated to provide humanitarian protection and assist in armed conflicts, and countries involved in conflicts are obliged to allow ICRC access to prisoners of war at all times for monitoring and assistance.
The disturbing case of Vasilyevich sheds light on the atrocities committed in the war-torn region and underscores the importance of upholding international humanitarian law to protect the rights and dignity of all individuals affected by conflict.
