Russia pressures families of captured Ukrainians for information and money

Families of Ukrainians held by Russia allege that the Russian military and security services systematically contact them, demanding intelligence, participation in protests, or money. According to a Ukrainian government spokesman, the GRU and FSB conduct these outreach campaigns after searching prisoners' online profiles. One woman, Polina, was pressured for months to provide information about a Russian attack, while another family received a $10,000 extortion demand before their son’s release.

The United Nations human-rights office reports widespread torture of Ukrainian POWs, with most describing beatings, electric shocks and other abuses. Prisoner exchanges have occurred, but many detainees, including Polina’s 71-year-old father, remain in captivity. The Russian side also forces released prisoners to send false propaganda messages to relatives.