Le Monde has published an investigation into Russia's unlawful detention of Ukrainian civilians. Igor Kotelianets, head of the Association, provided commentary at the journalists' request.

He noted that Russia began abducting and imprisoning civilians as early as 2014, when it was covertly backing pro-Russian separatists in the Donetsk region. At that time, the main targets were pro-Ukrainian activists, journalists, teachers, local officials, volunteers, and members of religious groups. "They were persecuted for political motives — charged with 'espionage,' 'terrorism,' or 'subversive activity'; cases were fabricated from scratch," said Igor Kotelianets.

Following the full-scale invasion in February 2022, both the scale and nature of repression shifted. Now, anyone residing in the occupied territories may be targeted.

"Today, anyone can become a victim — regardless of whether the person is pro-Ukrainian or not. The repression has changed in both character and scale," he stressed.

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