Today, on the Day of Remembrance, Ukrainians around the world remember every defender, volunteer and civilian executed, tortured, or killed in russian captivity.
We also commemorate the fourth anniversary of the russian attack on the Olenivka prison — the night of 28-29 July, when russia killed more than 50 Ukrainian prisoners of war and injured over 130 more. Most of the Ukrainian prisoners had defended Mariupol and used the Azovstal steel plant as their stronghold during a nearly three-month russian siege of the city.
The UN fact-finding mission tasked with investigating the deadly attack was disbanded in January 2023 after russia refused to grant access. Four years on, no one has been held accountable.
Olenivka stands alongside a much wider pattern of abuse. More than 95% of released Ukrainian POWs describe being tortured or ill-treated in russian custody — part of a broader record of unlawful killings and inhumane detention that amounts to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
In Sydney last week, members of the Ukrainian community with Australian supporters remembered those killed in the Olenivka attack and honoured Ukrainian prisoners of war.
We remember them – and will not stop until every one of them is home.
#Olenivka #FreeUkrainianPOWs #FreeAzovstal #FreeMariupolDefenders #DayofRemembrance
