On May 31, a prisoner exchange brought back Roman Vasiliovich Gorilyka senior controller of the Chernobyl nuclear plant, to his homeland, Ukraine. The images released show an emaciated man, with prominent bones, the result of two years of Inhuman conditions in the Russian captivity. The tragedy of Gorilykone of the 74 prisoners exchanged, has become a symbol of the brutality of Vladimir Putin’s regime.
The guard He was arrested in March 2022, just days after the Russian invasion, while carrying out his duty in Chernobyl. Without having participated in any combat, he was kidnaped and carried through Belarus, as reported by the Ukrainian program “I Want to Live.” This project, supported by the Ministry of Defense and the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine, ensured that neither Gorilyk nor did the other prisoners receive visits from observers from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), a flagrant breach of international law.
“The condition of Roman and other Ukrainian prisoners of war is horrific and brings to mind the darkest pages of human history, Nazi concentration camps” denounced “I Want to Live” in a lengthy post on Twitter/X.
Reports about the lack of visits by ICRC observers underline a deliberate policy of the Russian authorities to conceal the inhumane treatment of prisoners of war. “Not allowing observers to see prisoners of war, in violation of the Geneva Conventions, is a deliberate and targeted policy of the Russian authorities,” the project noted.
Gorilykalong with 169 National Guardsmen, was taken hostage during the Russian advance in March 2022. “I Want to Live” claims that Russia uses these prisoners as bargaining chips to exchange them for Russian soldiers captured in combat. Despite his release, 89 of his colleagues remain in Russian detention centers. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has documented conditions of mistreatment and abuse in these facilities.
A spokesperson for ICRC He explained that they have visited more than 3,000 prisoners of war on both sides of the conflict. However, he acknowledged that They still do not have full access to all prisoners. “We will not rest until we can see all prisoners of war, not just once, but repeatedly wherever they are detained,” he said.
The situation of Gorilyk and his companions highlights the serious Russian human rights violations in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Stories of torture and mistreatment not only reveal the suffering of prisoners, but also underline the urgency of international action to ensure respect for the Geneva Conventions and protect human dignity in times of war.
The voices of survivors and graphic testimonies have been essential to expose the seriousness of the situation. “I Want to Live” statements have highlighted not only the deplorable physical conditions but also the mental and emotional abuse suffered.
Mariana Checheliuk, a young investigator for the Ukrainian national police, burst into tears upon being released after two years of physical and mental torture in a Russian camp. Her heartbreaking tears have traveled the world, serving as a call to action.
In a strong statement, Ambassador Neil Holland from Vienna urged Russia to respect its international legal obligations and allow humanitarian access to all prisoners of war, emphasizing that the use of prisoners’ suffering as a weapon must stop immediately.
The OHCHR has documented in detail the systematic abuses suffered by Ukrainian prisoners in Russian hands. According to the report, prisoners in Russia were forced to endure appalling conditions: overcrowded cells, no access to outdoor exercise, and lack of adequate sanitary conditions. More than 80% of returning prisoners complained about the quality and quantity of food, describing how they were given rotten or contaminated food with sand and stones.
One of the most shocking cases was that of two wounded Ukrainian soldiers who were forced to crawl with broken legs for 500 meters to a Russian position, all while being filmed.
In addition, numerous cases of torture have been reported: prisoners stabbed, strangled, attacked by dogs, electrocuted with stun guns and subjected to mock executions. Female prisoners recounted harrowing experiences of stripping naked in front of male guards and being subjected to invasive examinations, while listening to the screams of other prisoners being tortured.
“I Want to Live” Project Demands Russia to Resolve POW Issue Through Full Exchange “all for all”. “This is a humanitarian issue. “Russians must stop using the suffering of these people and their families as a weapon,” the group emphasized in a statement.
The release of Roman Vasiliovich Gorilyk and other prisoners It’s just a small step in a continuous fight. In the meantime, the international community must remain vigilant and continue to press for respect for human rights and decent conditions for all prisoners of war. The situation demands a Immediate and decisive action to prevent further suffering and ensure that those responsible for these violations are held accountable.
