Ukraine Discloses Number of Central Asian POWs in Military Captivity
Ukraine Determines Citizenship of Prisoners of War Based on Statements
Recent information provided by Ukraine’s Ministry of Justice reveals that due to the frequent absence of identification documents, the citizenship of prisoners of war is often determined based on their own statements.
Since the beginning of Russia’s large-scale invasion, Ukraine has apprehended approximately 30 individuals from Central Asian countries, according to Ukrainian Justice Minister Olha Stefanishyna.
Stefanishyna elaborated, “Information regarding the citizenship of prisoners of war is often based on their statements, as there are frequently no documents to confirm this.”
It is emphasized that regardless of the citizenship status of prisoners of war held in detention facilities and camps, they are entitled to the same legal protections as outlined by both international and national legal norms. The citizenship of a prisoner of war, including any dual citizenship, does not impact their legal status, as reaffirmed by the Ministry.
The specific countries of origin of the prisoners of war were not specified in the report.
This revelation sheds light on the challenges posed by the absence of proper identification documents in determining the citizenship of individuals, especially during times of conflict and upheaval.
