Russian Intelligence Exploiting POW Families for Espionage
Russia’s intelligence services are using the desperation of families with captured relatives to recruit them for espionage. This was revealed by Ukraine’s Human Rights Commissioner, Dmytro Lubinets.
He said that Russian agents are putting pressure on families to carry out tasks for Moscow in exchange for information about their loved ones. This is happening even though many Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) have already been released from Russian captivity.
According to Lubinets, at least 3,767 Ukrainians were freed through prisoner exchanges. Many of them suffered severe torture and mistreatment during their detention. Now, families are being targeted by Russian intelligence agencies.
Families looking for information about their captured relatives often contact Russian authorities directly. However, this usually comes with conditions. They might be given limited access to images or opportunities to speak with their loved ones. But then they’re asked to do tasks for Russia.
Lubinets said that these actions are not isolated incidents, but he doesn’t consider them a critical issue. He also mentioned that over 16,000 Ukrainian civilians remain in Russian captivity, and only 168 have been freed so far.
Additionally, Moscow troops have deported 19,500 Ukrainian children to Russia, with fewer than 400 successfully returned home. Many of these children face coercive adoptions and indoctrination in Russian institutions, which raises serious concerns about their well-being and rights.
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