Friday, August 14, 2026 -More than 16,000 Ukrainian civilians detained during Russia’s war in Ukraine remain in captivity, according to the United Nations, with many reportedly held incommunicado and without grounds that comply with international law.
The UN says the figure highlights the scale of a detention crisis that has continued since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
The situation is particularly urgent because released detainees have described widespread abuse. UN officials said 85% of interviewed civilian detainees reported torture or ill-treatment, while more than 95% of interviewed Ukrainian prisoners of war reported similar treatment.
The UN has also documented sexual violence, inadequate medical care and deaths in custody, while Russia has rejected the allegations.
The figures are putting renewed pressure on international leaders to make civilian detainees a central issue in any negotiations aimed at ending the war.
The UN and International Committee of the Red Cross have not been granted unimpeded access to Russian detention facilities, making it difficult to establish the whereabouts and conditions of many detainees. For thousands of families still waiting for loved ones to return, faster international action and access to detention sites remain an urgent priority.
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