Diplomats From 14 Countries Visit Ukrainian POW Camp Holding Foreign Recruits

Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, jointly with the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, organized a visit by representatives of foreign diplomatic missions to the Zakhid-1 prisoner of war detention facility on June 10-11, 2026. Representatives from 14 countries, including heads of diplomatic missions, took part.

The stated purpose was to confirm Ukraine's compliance with the Third Geneva Convention - participants inspected detention conditions, spoke directly with prisoners, and assessed the facility against international humanitarian law standards. The MFA noted that the visit also served to consolidate international efforts against Russia's illegal recruitment of mercenaries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and other regions. Ukraine's statement drew a direct contrast with Russia's conduct: "Russia systematically and grossly violates the norms of international humanitarian law, denies international observers access to places where Ukrainian prisoners of war are held, and also uses torture and other forms of inhuman treatment."

The MFA described the recruitment of foreigners by the Ministry of Defence in terms consistent with everything documented elsewhere: many were recruited under the guise of civilian employment with no warning of combat participation, while others were coerced by exploiting legal vulnerability - expired visas, lack of legal status, or detention for migration violations.

Ukraine has called on partner states and the international community to take concrete measures countering Russia's recruitment activities, inform their citizens about the true nature of "contract service" in the Russian army, and hold Russia accountable for its violations of international humanitarian law.

For diplomats from the 14 countries represented at Zakhid-1, the visit was an opportunity to see directly what awaits citizens recruited through these schemes - and to assess what their governments can do to bring them home.

StopRussianRecruiters.org reminds: if you or your relative were coerced into military service in Russia there is a safe way out provided by the Ukrainian government. Do not wait until it is too late - act now. 

Source: Interfax-Ukraine