This report examines the systematic unlawful deprivation of liberty of civilians in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine in 2025 and their subsequent transfer to the Russian Federation. Based on 219 interviews conducted by the Association of Relatives of Political Prisoners of the Kremlin, the report documents patterns of arbitrary detention, incommunicado detention, torture, ill-treatment, forced transfers, and unfair trials.

It shows how civilians are moved through a network of unofficial detention sites, transit points, pre-trial detention centres and penal institutions, while Russian judicial and penitentiary systems are used to formalise and conceal unlawful persecution. The findings indicate serious violations of international humanitarian and criminal law, which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

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Action Algorithm for Establishing Illegal Deprivation of Freedom for Civilians Released Independently, Outside Exchange Procedure

This algorithm is designed for civilians who experienced illegal imprisonment due to Russian aggression and were released independently, without the exchange procedure. The instructions will help you gather evidence, prepare an application, and successfully submit it to the Commission on Establishing the Fact of Personal
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