Analytics

The 2025 report of the legal service summarises systemic support provided to unlawfully detained persons, released individuals, and their families. The 562 consultations and cases of legal support reflect not only the scale of demand for legal assistance, but also the difficulties families face: uncertainty about the whereabouts of their relatives, the complexity of procedures, a lack of clear information, and the need for ongoing legal support.

This analytical review for April 2026 examines 16 testimonies concerning unlawful deprivation of liberty, enforced disappearance, torture, unlawful transfer, filtration, deportation and politically motivated persecution. The documented cases show recurring patterns of detention without legal grounds, concealment of whereabouts, violence, coercion, threats against relatives and prosecution by Russian or occupation structures. The findings bear indications of war crimes and may amount to crimes against humanity.

This analytical review for March 2026 examines 16 testimonies concerning civilians unlawfully deprived of liberty by the Russian Federation and occupation administrations. It documents enforced disappearance in all cases, as well as patterns of arbitrary detention, torture, unlawful transfer, politically motivated prosecution and violations of the right to a fair trial. The findings bear indications of war crimes and may amount to crimes against humanity.

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.

The analytical note is devoted to the practical implementation of Resolution No. 1775 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, which provides for priority support for civilians affected by deprivation of liberty resulting from the armed aggression against Ukraine. The document analyzes how ready this mechanism is for practical application, identifies risks that may hinder access to assistance, and outlines key issues that require further regulatory and organizational improvement.

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.

The analytical review for November 2025 was prepared on the basis of an analysis of twenty (20) testimonies provided by individuals who were unlawfully deprived of their personal liberty as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, as well as by their close relatives. The testimonies cover the period from 2022 to 2025 and concern the detention of civilians in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and their subsequent confinement in the occupied territories and in the Russian Federation.

The analytical review for December 2025 was prepared on the basis of an analysis of fourteen testimonies provided by witnesses and victims concerning the unlawful deprivation of personal liberty of fourteen civilian individuals as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. The review covers the period from 2022 to 2025 and documents the detention of civilians in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and in the Russian Federation, their confinement in unofficial places of detention, cases of enforced disappearance, incommunicado detention, torture, and persecution on the basis of pro-Ukrainian views or family ties. The collected materials indicate the systemic nature of these violations, which bear the hallmarks of war crimes and may amount to crimes against humanity under international criminal law.

The NGO “Association of Relatives of the Kremlin’s Political Prisoners” publishes an analytical report prepared based on the results of a public review of the activities of the Commission for Establishing the Fact of Deprivation of Personal Liberty as a Result of Armed Aggression against Ukraine. The report systematizes the regulatory framework governing the Commission’s work, analyzes its administrative practice, and identifies key shortcomings in decision-making procedures and in victims’ access to social guarantees. Particular attention is paid to issues related to the burden of proof, the determination of the political motive of persecution, and the safeguarding of applicants’ right to be heard. Based on a legal analysis, a review of the Commission’s decisions, and surveys of affected individuals, the report formulates recommendations aimed at improving the regulatory framework, institutional capacity, and procedural fairness in order to strengthen state support for victims of unlawful deprivation of liberty.

We have published an analytical digest for August 2025. During the month, we documented 18 new cases of unlawful deprivation of liberty of civilians; a total of 408 people in the database. Testimony confirms systemic torture and inhumane treatment by the Russian occupation forces. Read the key findings and support the team's work. What's inside: geography of cases (Zaporizhzhya, Kherson, Luhansk, Donetsk regions, Autonomous Republic of Crimea, etc.), statuses of detainees, types of violations under the Rome Statute.

The purpose of this analytical material is to assess the level of normative and actual provision of the right to temporary housing for persons who simultaneously: acquired the status of internally displaced persons; were released from illegal imprisonment as a result of the Russian Federation's armed aggression against Ukraine.

During interviews in July 2025, documenters identified 18 individuals who had been unlawfully deprived of their personal liberty as a result of Russian aggression, 16 men and 2 women

This document is important for confirming large-scale violations in the territory under the de facto control of the Russian Federation. It contains data on illegal searches, detentions, torture, coercion to cooperate, and oppression of representatives of religious communities (in particular Christians), confirming violations of Articles 12 (right to health), 15 (freedom of thought and religion), and 2 (non-discrimination). This source directly supports the submission's arguments regarding the targeted discriminatory policy applied by the Russian Federation in the occupied territories, particularly in the context of access to medical care, social services and freedom of conscience.

Analytical review of requests for legal assistance to the NGO ’Assosiation of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners‘ during February 2024 - February 2025

This analytical report is extremely important for illustrating violations of Articles 9 (right to social security), 10 (protection of the family), 12 (right to health) and 15 (participation in cultural life) of the Covenant. The report describes the complete isolation of civilians in places of detention without contact with the outside world (holding them incommunicado), accompanied by psychological pressure, a ban on phone calls and correspondence, and no access to a lawyer or medical care. Such conditions not only violate their individual rights, but also deprive their families of the opportunity to provide care, support and the realisation of basic social rights. 

Over the course of three months, the Legal Aid Service team of the Association of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners handled 168 requests. The report provides a clear analysis of the most common issues raised by families of unlawfully imprisoned individuals and outlines how we provide support in each case.

This monthly report by the NGO “Association of the Relatives of Kremlin’s Political Prisoners” presents newly documented cases of unlawful detention of civilians in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. These include abductions, torture, incommunicado detention, and imprisonment in Russian penal colonies. In June 2025 alone, 17 new cases were identified. The report also outlines the geographical scope of the crimes, types of violations, and systemic practices employed by the Russian Federation against the civilian population.

Since 2022, the Association's documenters have identified and interviewed 509 witnesses of enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and other international crimes against the civilian population, including shelling of civilian infrastructure, appropriation of private property by the occupiers, and unlawful deprivation of liberty. As of May 31, 2025, information has been established and documented on 355 civilians who were illegally deprived of their personal liberty as a result of the Russian Federation's aggression, 20 of whom were identified during the documentation of testimonies in April 2025.

Since 2022, the Association's documenters have identified and interviewed 489 witnesses to enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and other international crimes against civilians, including shelling of civilian infrastructure, appropriation of private property by the occupiers, and illegal deprivation of liberty. As of April 30, 2025, information on 335 civilians who were illegally deprived of their personal liberty as a result of Russian aggression was identified and documented, including 13 people identified during the documentation of testimonies in April 2025.

Since 2022, the Association's documenters have identified and interviewed 477 witnesses of enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and other international crimes against the civilian population, including shelling of civilian infrastructure, appropriation of private property by the occupiers, and unlawful deprivation of liberty. As of March 31, 2025, information has been established and documented on 322 civilians who were illegally deprived of their personal liberty as a result of the Russian Federation's aggression, 13 of whom were identified during the documentation of testimonies in March 2025.

Since 2022, we have interviewed 462 witnesses of enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and crimes against the civilian population, including shelling of civilian infrastructure, appropriation of private property by the occupiers, and unlawful deprivation of liberty. As of the end of February 2025, information has been found on 310 civilians who were arbitrarily detained by representatives of the Russian Federation or groups controlled by the aggressor country, 22 of whom were identified during the processing of testimonies in February 2025.

Since 2022, we have interviewed 422 witnesses of enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions and crimes against civilians, including shelling of civilian infrastructure, appropriation of private property by the occupiers, and illegal deprivation of liberty. As of the end of December 2024, information on 274 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 December 2024.

Since 2022, we have interviewed 402 witnesses of enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions and crimes against civilians, including shelling of civilian infrastructure, appropriation of private property by the occupiers, and illegal deprivation of liberty. As of the end of November 2024, information on 254 civilians who were arbitrarily detained by representatives of the Russian Federation or groups controlled by the aggressor country was found, of which 16 were identified during the processing of testimonies in November 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.

Since 2022, we have interviewed 362 witnesses to enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and crimes against civilians, including shelling of civilian infrastructure, occupation appropriation of private property, and illegal deprivation of liberty. As of the end of September 2024, information on 221 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 September 2024.

Since 2022, we have interviewed 196 witnesses to enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions and crimes against civilians. We have identified 203 civilians who were arbitrarily detained by representatives of the Russian Federation or groups controlled by the aggressor country, of whom 18 were identified during the processing of testimonies in July 2024.

This algorithm is designed for civilians who experienced illegal imprisonment due to Russian aggression and were released independently, without the exchange procedure. The instructions will help you gather evidence, prepare an application, and successfully submit it to the Commission on Establishing the Fact of Personal

The research analyzes challenges faced by Ukrainian civilian citizens who were illegally deprived of personal freedom due to Russian armed aggression, in establishing this fact to obtain social and legal protection.

Since 2022, we have interviewed 362 witnesses of enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and crimes against the civilian population, including the shelling of civilian infrastructure, appropriation of private property by occupiers, and illegal deprivation of liberty. As of the end of September 2024, information has been uncovered about 221 civilians who were arbitrarily detained by representatives of the Russian Federation or groups controlled by the aggressor country, of which 17 individuals were identified during the processing of testimonies in September 2024.

In accordance with Article 117 of the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, released prisoners of war may not be employed on active military service. We have written the letter to Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets and he promised to review this situation towards released prisoners of War. Our letter and the answer are in attachment

By this submission Non-GovernmentalOrganization "Association of Relatives of Political Prisoners of the Kremlin" provides the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances information about cases of human rights violations in the context of the armed conflict in Ukraine, specifically the enforced disappearances of civilian citizens of our state, which have resulted from crimes committed by Russian military personnel and representatives of the occupying authorities in the occupied territories of Ukraine.

During 1,5 year our team has made analysis of the effectiveness of the implementation and enforcement of the Law of Ukraine “On Social and Legal Protection of People Found to have been Deprived of Their Personal Liberty as a Result of Armed Aggression against Ukraine, and Members of Their Families”

Evaluation of the activities of the Ministry of Reintegration and the Interdepartmental Commission regarding interaction with applicants and the public during the performance of the tasks assigned to them and proposals for strengthening such interaction.

Based on the results of the public discussion on the Day of the Political Prisoner, we have prepared recommendations for authorities to take action to protect the rights of prisoners and their families.

Analysis of the effectiveness of the implementation and implementation of the Law of Ukraine "On Social and Legal Protection of Persons Deprived of Personal Freedom as a Result of Armed Aggression Against Ukraine, and Their Family Members".