90% of all prisoners returned from Russian captivity were tortured - Yatsenko
Primary rehabilitation will last at least two weeks after returning from captivity
Almost all Ukrainian prisoners of war who returned from Russian captivity on January 3 say they were tortured, said Petro Yatsenko, a representative of the coordination headquarters for prisoners of war.
January 3 marked the largest exchange of prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion. 230 military and civilians were returned to Ukraine, while 248 were returned to Russia.
Yatsenko emphasized that the health condition of Ukrainian soldiers who went through Russian captivity is quite poor. Former prisoners need medical care and rehabilitation, suffer from chronic diseases.
Most of those released have problems with the digestive system. They also have problems with their legs because they had to spend a lot of time standing, and with their teeth because of the lack of dental care.
"And, of course, more than 90% of those who returned claim to have been tortured. And we know that this is the state policy in Russia," he added.
The representative of the headquarters said that for at least two weeks after returning from captivity, primary rehabilitation will continue, which will include medical care and conversations with psychologists. After that, measures will be taken to facilitate the reintegration of former prisoners into society.
Background. Earlier today it was reported that the defenders of Mariupol and Azovstal, Zmeinyi Island, prisoners of war from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, and 48 exchanged persons with the status of "missing" are returning home.
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