THE HUMAN FACE OF UNLAWFUL DEPRIVATION OF LIBERTY Review of the Documentation of War Crimes of the Russian Federation against Civilians in 2025

This report examines the systematic unlawful deprivation of liberty of civilians in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine in 2025 and their subsequent transfer to the Russian Federation. Based on 219 interviews conducted by the Association of Relatives of Political Prisoners of the Kremlin, the report documents patterns of arbitrary detention, incommunicado detention, torture, ill-treatment, forced transfers, and unfair trials.

It shows how civilians are moved through a network of unofficial detention sites, transit points, pre-trial detention centres and penal institutions, while Russian judicial and penitentiary systems are used to formalise and conceal unlawful persecution. The findings indicate serious violations of international humanitarian and criminal law, which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

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October 31, 2024

Digest of the activities of the NGO “Association of Relatives of Political Prisoners of the Kremlin” on documenting the war crimes of the Russian Federation against the civilian population in Ukraine in October 2024

As of the end of October 2024, information on 238 civilians who were arbitrarily detained by representatives of the Russian Federation or groups controlled by the aggressor country was found, of which 17 were identified during the processing of testimonies in October 2024. Last month, the documenters of the NGO “Association of Relatives of Political Prisoners of the Kremlin” received 20 testimonies from people who witnessed and suffered from arbitrary detentions, shelling of civilian infrastructure and war crimes committed by the aggressor country against civilians. Three of them testified about the shelling of civilian infrastructure (in Melitopol and Zaporizhzhia), and the other 17 concerned illegal deprivations of liberty of civilians.

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February 25, 2026

Analytical Report "After Unlawful Deprivation of Liberty: From Survival to Recovery"

The report "After Unlawful Deprivation of Liberty: From Survival to Recovery" is dedicated to the need for adopting a state framework programme to support released civilians. It analyses how the support system for civilians released after unlawful deprivation of liberty as a result of the Russian Federation’s armed aggression currently functions in Ukraine. Based on the data reviewed, the authors propose the introduction of a state framework programme. The report also provides clear recommendations for state authorities and international organisations aimed at improving the rehabilitation process for people who have returned from unlawful detention.