On June 30, ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets revealed that the United Nations had conducted an internal review, concluding that the Russian Federation was responsible for the 2022 explosion at the Olenivka prison, which resulted in the deaths of over 50 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs). The UN’s findings highlighted the deliberate actions of Russia in planning and executing the attack, which included isolating Ukrainian POWs and deliberately destroying evidence to hinder investigations.
Russia has consistently denied any involvement in the incident, actively blocking efforts by the international community to conduct an independent investigation into the attack. The UN report further mentioned that Russia contaminated evidence at the site, complicating any independent verification of the event. Kyiv has alleged that days before the July 2022 attack, the Russian authorities placed Ukrainian members of the Azov Regiment, who were awaiting a prisoner exchange, in a separate section of the Olenivka prison building, which was later destroyed in the explosion.
According to the UN report, the findings include a detailed examination of the weapons and ammunition used by the Russian Armed Forces and a review of the planning, organization, and execution of the attack. Ombudsman Lubinets noted that the UN fact-finding mission on Olenivka was dissolved due to a lack of security guarantees, and the mission had previously refused to review evidence provided by Ukraine. This has raised concerns about the transparency and impartiality of the international response to the incident.
Russia’s actions have been widely condemned for violating international conventions protecting the rights of prisoners of war, as it continues its military operations in Ukraine. Additionally, a Russian military court recently convicted 184 Ukrainian POWs captured in Kursk Oblast of acts of terrorism, according to Mediazona. These POWs were charged under the Russian Criminal Code for allegedly participating in Ukraine’s incursion into Kursk Oblast. One such individual, Junior Lieutenant Yevhen Hoch, was specifically convicted for allegedly participating in the incursion and carrying out an act of terrorism.
The incident at Olenivka has been a subject of intense focus and scrutiny, as it represents a significant escalation in the humanitarian crisis and potential war crimes allegations in the ongoing conflict. The UN internal analysis, while not publicly released, has been described by Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets as a crucial step in holding Russia accountable for its actions in the conflict. However, the lack of access to the full report by the international community remains a critical challenge in pursuing justice for the victims and their families.