Justice for Prisoners: Rally in Kyiv
Thousands of families are still unaware of the whereabouts of their loved ones. They wait and have the right to know the truth.
On Sunday, July 20, a new rally took place on Taras Shevchenko Boulevard in Kyiv in support of Ukrainian military personnel who have been captured. Attendees included relatives of defenders, activists, military personnel, and concerned citizens.
The event began at 5:00 PM at the stretch between Volodymyrska and Yevhen Chykalenka Streets. Participants held portraits of the missing and captured soldiers, as well as placards demanding expedited actions for their release and appeals to the international community.
Organizers emphasized: silence kills. Society must not forget those who fight for their lives daily in captivity, as well as defenders whose fates remain unknown.
During the rally, there were calls to the Ukrainian government and international organizations demanding to expedite the exchange process, establish the whereabouts of the missing, investigate cases of violence, and pressure Russia for violations of international humanitarian law.
It is worth noting that previously, a Russian court sentenced two Ukrainian soldiers, Ruslan Orlov and Artem Novikov, to lengthy prison terms of 26 and 24 years respectively. The Russian side claimed that both allegedly served in the "Azov" brigade and committed "crimes against civilians" in Mariupol in April 2022. According to the investigation's version, the military fired upon local residents with pro-Russian sentiments.
The Ukrainian side has repeatedly stressed the illegality of the so-called "trials" against prisoners and the systemic violations of international humanitarian law by Russia.
