Former Ukrainian prisoners of war show signs of trauma

Many Ukrainian prisoners of war return with physical and psychological wounds after enduring torture from their Russian captors. Once back in Ukraine, they are often improperly treated and returned to duty too early, according to former prisoners, officials and psychologists familiar with individual cases.

Russia’s torture of prisoners of war has been well documented by the U.N., with former inmates speaking of relentless beatings, electric shocks, rape, sexual violence and mock executions. One expert described the torture as systematic.

More than 10,000 Ukrainian prisoners of war remain in Russian custody, and nearly 3,000 have been released from Russia in prisoner exchanges since the invasion began. Most of the released prisoners return to active duty after about three months of rest and rehabilitation. Critics say they need more rest, but the Ukrainian military, short of troops on the front line, has given relatively few medical exemptions to former prisoners of war.