Ukraine’s Servicemen Rights Commissioner: over 3,000 soldiers held in Russian captivity; 15,000 Ukrainians are missing

At least 3.392 Ukrainian servicemen are being held in Russian captivity, Ukraine’s Servicemen Rights Commissioner Alyona Verbitskaya told German media outlet RND during an interview.

According to her, this number was announced by the Russian side.

Furthermore, 15,000 Ukrainian servicemen and civilians are considered missing.

“We don’t know what happened to [the people missing]. [Whether] they’re also Russian POWs, were forcefully taken from the territories occupied by Russia, or possibly, killed a long time ago. This uncertainty is especially hard on the relatives,” Verbitskaya said.

Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, said earlier that as of 30 December Ukraine was able to return 1.456 servicemen home.