Occupants left hundreds of former political prisoners from Crimea in deportation centers

After serving his sentence in a colony in Crimea, Ukrainian Andriy Kolomiets was not released, but was locked up in a Russian deportation center for six months. And there are more stories like this than it seems: Russia is inventing new ways to keep Ukrainian political prisoners in detention even after their release.

This was reported by Suspilne.Krym.

Andriy Kolomiets, a former political prisoner who spent almost ten years in captivity in occupied Crimea, was not immediately able to return to Ukraine after his release. Because his Ukrainian passport did not contain an updated photo, he was forcibly placed in a deportation center in Krasnodar Krai, where he stayed for almost six months.

His passport was recognized as invalid, because at the age of 25 he was unable to paste a new photo - he was behind bars. The man was detained on the basis of a court decision, and his stay in the center was extended twice for 90 days. Although the conditions there were milder than in prison, it was still a deprivation of liberty. Finally, on July 11, 2025, Kolomiets was able to return to Ukraine.

According to Olga Skrypnyk, head of the Crimean Human Rights Group, hundreds of Ukrainian citizens remain in similar centers in Russia. The security forces, in particular the Ministry of Defense, put pressure on the detainees, forcing them to take Russian citizenship and fight against Ukraine.

There have been cases when new cases were opened against former political prisoners after their illegal sentences were completed. Skrypnyk emphasized that due to the lack of diplomatic relations with Russia, Ukrainians are often unable to receive assistance directly. Therefore, human rights activists advise relatives and lawyers to contact the State Migration Service, Ukrainian consulates in third countries (for example, in Georgia) or the Ombudsman's Office in advance to obtain an identity card for return.

It is also important to obtain a document from the National Information Bureau in advance about the fact of imprisonment for political reasons. This helps both with the paperwork and with returning home.

Kolomiets recalled that he was afraid to leave the deportation center on his own, because he knew that he could be detained again and face new charges, as had happened in the past. Then he was planted with drugs, and later he was accused of participating in the Maidan. Others may face a similar fate.

As of July 2025, there are 260 political prisoners from occupied Crimea in Russian prisons and detention centers, 153 of whom are Crimean Tatars. According to the Crimean Tatar Resource Center, since the beginning of the occupation, 413 cases of political persecution have been recorded on the peninsula, more than half of which are against members of the indigenous people.

Анна Бальчінос