Sun Apr 06 06:56:09 UTC 2025: ## Thousands of Ukrainian Civilians Held Captive by Russia, Peace Talks Ignore Human Cost
**KYIV, Ukraine (April 6, 2025)** – As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, thousands of Ukrainian civilians remain in Russian captivity, a humanitarian crisis largely overlooked in ongoing peace negotiations. This was highlighted by human rights groups and the families of the detained, who are pleading for their loved ones’ release.
The Center for Civil Liberties (CCL), a 2022 Nobel Peace Prize winner, launched the “People First” campaign in January, demanding that any peace settlement prioritize the release of all civilians held captive by both sides. Estimates of the number of Ukrainian civilians detained in occupied territories and Russia vary, ranging from over 1,672 (according to the Russian rights group Memorial) to over 20,000 (according to Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman). The CCL alone has received over 4,000 requests for help.
The stories of individual detainees illustrate the plight of civilians caught in the conflict. Kostiantyn Zinovkin, arrested in Melitopol in May 2023, is now on trial facing absurd charges including terrorism, fabricated by his family. Mykyta Shkriabin, a 19-year-old student, disappeared after leaving his family’s shelter to get supplies and is now considered a POW, a status his lawyer disputes. Serhii Tsyhipa, a 63-year-old journalist, was convicted of espionage and sentenced to 13 years after his disappearance while walking his dog.
These are just a few examples of the widespread detention and alleged torture of Ukrainian civilians. The UN Human Rights Council recently reported that Russia has committed enforced disappearances and torture, constituting crimes against humanity. Despite these findings, the Russian Defense Ministry, Federal Penitentiary Service, and Federal Security Service have not responded to requests for comment.
While political negotiations focus on territory and resources, human rights advocates, like CCL head Oleksandra Matviichuk, stress that lasting peace requires addressing the human cost of the conflict. The families of the detainees, meanwhile, continue to desperately hope for their loved ones’ return, even as they grapple with the slow pace of progress and the daunting challenges in securing their release.
First Piper 