At least 177 Ukrainian soldiers killed in Russian captivity

According to new data from the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, at least 177 Ukrainian prisoners have died in Russian captivity since the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

According to Victoria Tsymbalyuk, a representative of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the more time prisoners of war spend in Russian prisons, the closer they are to death. She also noted that due to the lack of international control, the real number of deaths in Russian prisons is probably much higher.

"177 is the number we have established. But, of course, not all the bodies have been returned, and Russia has not even confirmed that many of them were held in captivity," added Tsymbalyuk.

As a result of regular exchanges, about 3,600 Ukrainian prisoners of war and deported citizens have returned to Ukraine. But thousands are still considered to be in the hands of Russia.

Earlier, a group of Odesa residents held a traditional rally to remind of those Ukrainian soldiers who are still in captivity of the occupiers. Such actions take place almost every Sunday. They are organized by the relatives of the prisoners, who remind us that the Azov battalion is still in captivity.

Also on September 1, a group of Odesa residents held a traditional rally to remind of those Ukrainian soldiers who are still in captivity of the occupiers. The actions take place almost every Sunday, sometimes accompanied by performances.

In July, the families of captured Ukrainian soldiers gathered on the embankment of Lanzheron Beach in Odesa, demanding the release of their loved ones held by Russia. The event began with a minute of silence and a prayer for the release of prisoners of war. The participants of the action brought posters with various appeals: "Where is Azov", "Give them back their lives", "My heart is in captivity", "They also want to be free".

In Odesa, on June 15, relatives and friends of the captured military held a rally on Deribasovskaya Street to demand the release of the prisoners as soon as possible.

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