**Ukraine Loses Faith in Red Cross and UN**
A Ukrainian soldier‘s joy over an apple after being released from Russian captivity was a heart-wrenching moment. Maksym Kolesnykov, 47, had spent nearly a year in captivity, losing over 30 kilograms and suffering a severe injury to his left leg.
Despite the seriousness of their situation, many Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) have never been visited by representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Ukraine’s Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets says that this is not an isolated incident. “Most Ukrainian POWs have never seen a representative of the ICRC while in Russian captivity,” he said.
**Horrific Conditions**
Ukrainian POWs who were released from Russian prisons revealed horrific conditions, including near-starvation, torture, and humiliation. Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of POWs reported that 177 Ukrainian soldiers died from torture and inhumane treatment while in captivity.
The ICRC has been criticized by Ukraine for not doing enough to help Ukrainian POWs. Kolesnykov believes that if the ICRC had been present, it might have prompted prison staff to treat POWs better. “I think their appearance could have changed something for us,” he said.
**Fading Faith in International Organizations**
Ukraine’s relationship with international organizations like the ICRC and the United Nations (UN) has deteriorated since the start of the Russian full-scale war. Myroslava Kharchenko, a lawyer with the NGO Save Ukraine, recalls asking the Ukrainian branch of the ICRC for a vehicle to evacuate children from Russian-occupied Kyiv Oblast early in the war. The ICRC refused, citing mandate limitations.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized the ICRC and UN for their responses to the war, saying that they have been ineffective and have undermined Ukraine’s trust in international institutions. The Ukrainian government has called on the UN Security Council to strip Russia of its veto power, which would allow the council to take action against Russia.
**Russian Language Day**
The UN was criticized for celebrating Russian Language Day just hours after Russian forces destroyed the Kakhovka Dam in June 2023, causing a major flood in Ukraine. The UN’s response was seen as insensitive and ignored the humanitarian disaster caused by Russia.
This incident has sparked a discussion in Ukrainian society about whether Russia’s place in various UN bodies should be reconsidered.