International Red Cross: no access to prison camp where dozens of Ukrainians died

According to the story in the New York Times, “The International Committee of the Red Cross has not received confirmation that it will be allowed to visit the detention center where dozens of Ukrainian prisoners were killed in an explosion, the organization said in a statement on Sunday.

“At least 50 prisoners were killed and dozens wounded in a blast late Thursday in the russian-occupied town of Olenivka in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk Province. Many were prisoners of war who surrendered in May after the Russian siege of the Mariupol steelworks. They are considered national heroes in Ukraine.

“Ukraine and Russia have blamed each other for the explosion, with Ukrainian authorities calling for an international investigation.

“Ukraine’s armed forces have denied responsibility, saying Russian artillery attacked the prison to hide mistreatment.

“Prisoners recently released from the Olenivka camp have described torture and hellish conditions. The American ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget A. Brink, said Sunday that both the attack and reports of ‘barbaric treatment’ of P.O.W.s were unconscionable.”

“We will continue to pursue accountability and give Ukraine what it needs to defend itself against Moscow’s horrific aggression,” said Ms Brink on Twitter.

Photo: Maxar Technologies

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The attack on the detention facility in Olenivka is unconscionable, as are reports of barbaric treatment of Ukrainian POWs by Russia’s forces. We will continue to pursue accountability and give Ukraine what it needs to defend itself against Moscow's horrific aggression.

— Ambassador Bridget A. Brink (@USAmbKyiv) July 31, 2022