

Ukraine accuses Russia of torturing Ukrainian prisoners of war
13 snips May 24, 2025
Mariam Zogdi, a journalist from the BBC Persian service, and Nick Thorpe, a journalist based in Hungary, delve into the harrowing experiences of Ukrainian prisoners of war. They discuss allegations of torture, isolation, and brainwashing faced by those released from Russian captivity. The conversation sheds light on the emotional reunions of families and the psychological toll of war, while also touching on an Iranian film winning a prestigious Cannes prize, intertwining themes of resilience and cultural expression amidst conflict.
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Torture and Brainwashing in Captivity
- Over 95% of Ukrainian prisoners released from Russian captivity were tortured and lacked adequate food and medical care.
- Russians imposed isolation and brainwashing tactics to manipulate prisoners, including forcing them to learn nationalist poetry and songs.
Ukraine's POW Camps Transparency
- Ukrainian POW camps for Russian prisoners are open to Red Cross and journalists, providing medical care and meals.
- Ukraine strives to follow Geneva Convention standards for the treatment of Russian detainees.
Prisoner Exchanges Amid Ongoing War
- Despite exchanges, Russian-Ukraine prisoner swaps occur alongside ongoing heavy fighting.
- Prisoner swaps are the only consistent cooperation amid war, but do not yet signal progress toward ceasefire or peace talks.