Call for justice: hundreds of medical workers imprisoned by Russia. Exchange negotiations in question
Among the many crimes committed by Russia against Ukraine, the captivation of medical professionals is one of the most acute issues, considering the allegedly upcoming negotiations. The NGO Military Medics of Ukraine works on documenting cases, raising awareness, and pushing discussions on national and international levels to ensure justice for all families.
During the seizure of Mariupol, Russia shelled military hospital 555. The head of the organization, Andrii Kryvtsov, explains, “At that time, there were not only military and civilian wounded Ukrainian citizens but also wounded Russian soldiers, who were rescued by the Ukrainian side following IHL.” The staff was relocated between the Illich and Azovstal plants when the hospital was destroyed.
On April 12, the medical staff at the Illich factory, including those from other units, were captured, yet the situation was kept a secret. “We had to gather ourselves and look for our relatives,” Kryvtsov says. “There was virtually no communication with the families of the prisoners, even though the war began in 2014, so the issue with prisoners and missing people was not entirely new.”
The group of families was the first to break the silence with their publication uncovering the “invisible prisoners” from the 555th military hospital of Mariupol. In March 2023, the NGO Military Medics of Ukraine was registered. After a series of publications and uniting more than 50 families, the organization started a serious dialogue with the state.
View this post on Instagram
“Russians are hunting for military medics,” Kryvtsov says. Killing non-combatants is a war crime according to the Geneva Convention. “They kill them because they save lives. More than 320 military medics have been killed by Russians.” He explains that, according to international law, the killing of another soldier during a battle is not a crime, and no Russian soldier will be punished for it. “We must carefully collect evidence of crimes against non-combatants or violations of the rules of war, such as the execution of prisoners and so on. Otherwise, when the war is over, all Russians will simply get away with it.”
In the prisons, captives face regular torture, beatings, abuse, and threats. Last summer, the body of a military medic was returned from captivity. It was confirmed by both Russia and the International Committee of the Red Cross that he had been in captivity since March 22. “He was tortured and starved to death,” Kryvtsov declared. There were occasions when one of the military doctors whose captivity Russia has never confirmed appeared in a propaganda video—a so-called interview—in which captives are typically forced to say they want to stay in Russia under threats to them and their families.
At the moment, Ukraine has far fewer captives than Russia, many of whom are Ukrainian nationals from the temporarily occupied DPR and LPR. This seriously obstructs exchange negotiations since Russia is not interested in releasing them. Furthermore, there are thousands of missing people. Even if Russia is forced to return all the confirmed prisoners, what happens with those who are unconfirmed is an acute, open question. “If they claim that people died, they must provide a body. Otherwise, people may remain in distant prisons in Russia forever,” Kryvtsov says.
There are 47 prisoners that the NGO fends for and has received statements from their families at the moment. During the regular Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) meeting, Ukraine’s envoy to Vienna-based international organizations, Yevheniy Tsymbalyuk, suggested the number of 500 medical workers imprisoned.
According to Kryvtsov, more actions on behalf of the government are needed, including collecting evidence and building criminal cases, which are currently undermined. “People need to know that they are not abandoned. They need to receive up-to-date information about their loved ones and understand the government’s roadmap on this issue.” Kryvtsov also emphasizes the need for a complete boycott of Russia within the international community, further public condemnation, and diplomatic pressure.
Feature image: The demonstration at Maidan Nezalezhnosti Square organized by the NGO Military Medics of Ukraine in April 2024. ©GennadiyKravchenko