Families of the thousands of civilians seized by Russian forces are struggling to locate them, let alone get them home

  • Thousands of Ukrainians are searching for their relatives who have disappeared into Russian jails
  • Ukraine has identified about 1,700 cases of civilian prisoners being kept in Russia or Russian-occupied areas
  • Civilians are held in Russian prisons along with captured Ukrainian soldiers and are often tortured
  • Ukrainian authorities have declined to exchange Russian prisoners of war for civilians
  • Families of the missing are struggling to find information about their loved ones

Thousands of Ukrainians are facing the heart-wrenching task of searching for their relatives who have disappeared into Russian jails. Ukraine has identified around 1,700 cases of civilian prisoners being kept in Russia or Russian-occupied areas, but human-rights activists believe the real number is much higher. Civilians are being held in Russian prisons alongside captured Ukrainian soldiers and are often subjected to torture. Ukrainian authorities have refused to exchange Russian prisoners of war for civilians, fearing that it would only encourage Russia to seize more. The families of the missing are expending great efforts to find any information about their loved ones, but the process is incredibly challenging.·

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides detailed accounts of individuals who have been detained by Russian forces in Ukraine, including their experiences and the efforts of their families to locate and secure their release. The information is presented in a factual manner, with quotes from family members, human rights activists, and officials, providing a comprehensive view of the situation.·
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides a detailed account of the experiences of individuals affected by the conflict in Ukraine, shedding light on the human rights violations and the challenges faced by civilians. It includes specific examples and testimonies to support the narrative, but it lacks a broader analysis of the geopolitical context or potential solutions to the crisis.·
Key People: Dmytro Lubinets (Ukraine’s parliamentary commissioner for human rights), Achille Després (spokesman in Ukraine for the International Committee of the Red Cross)

Financial Relevance: No
Financial Markets Impacted: No
Financial Rating Justification: This article does not pertain to financial topics and does not mention any events that impact financial markets or companies.·
Presence Of Extreme Event: Yes
Nature Of Extreme Event: Armed Conflicts and Wars
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: Severe
Extreme Rating Justification: The article discusses the detention and disappearance of Ukrainian civilians during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It mentions cases of torture, imprisonment, and mistreatment of civilians by Russian forces. The impact of this event is severe as it involves the violation of human rights, physical harm, and emotional distress for the families of the missing individuals.·

Reported publicly: www.wsj.com