Ukraine Takes So Many Recent Russian POWs, It Opens New Prison Camp

So many Russian soldiers have surrendered to Ukrainian forces in the past few months that Ukraine has been forced to open a new prison for POWs. JL 

Valentyna Romanenko reports in Ukraine Pravda:

Tsentr-3, a new POW camp, has admitted its first Russian prisoners of war. The enormous number of Russians who have surrendered, combined with Russia’s effective blocking of prisoner exchanges, has compelled Ukraine to open new detention facilities for POWs. Unlike Russia, Ukraine abides by the Geneva Convention. Captured Russians are not held in penal colonies alongside other prisoners, but in camps designed specifically for POWs.

Details: The enormous number of Russians who have surrendered, combined with Russia’s effective blocking of prisoner exchanges, has compelled Ukraine to open new detention facilities for POWs. This probably won’t be the last Russian POW camp to open this year, the Hochu Zhit project says.

Unlike the aggressor state, Ukraine abides by the Geneva Convention. Captured Russians are not held in high-security penal colonies alongside other prisoners, but in camps designed specifically for POWs and special departments at pre-trial detention centres.

They can contact their families, be visited by the International Red Cross, receive parcels and money transfers, work, play sport, and engage in leisure activities.

None of this is possible for Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russia, even though the Russian Federation is a signatory to the Geneva Conventions.

 

Reference: Hochu Zhit is a Ukrainian state initiative that aims to help Russian soldiers surrender safely. The project was launched in September 2022 by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, which works with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence and Defence Intelligence. 

According to Ukraine's Defence Intelligence, as of 10 May 2024, the project had received over 35,000 applications, most of which came from serving Russian personnel, and 260 people are already enjoying its benefits.