Russian prisoners of war in Ukraine are now allowed to make calls to their families with approval from the coordination headquarters.

The government has made changes to the procedure for the treatment of prisoners of war and has once again permitted Russian soldiers held in camps to call their relatives.

This was reported by government representative in the Verkhovna Rada Taras Melnychuk.

To take advantage of this opportunity, the camp must have the technical capability, and the prisoner must receive approval from the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

Prisoners suspected or accused of crimes must obtain not only the headquarters' approval but also permission from an investigator, prosecutor, or court to make a call.

Last year, the government revoked the right of Russian prisoners of war to call their relatives, responding to the corresponding request from the families of Ukrainian prisoners of war who are being tortured and held in inhumane conditions in Russian captivity.

Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, Ukraine has emphasized its adherence to the Geneva Convention regarding prisoners of war. Specifically, Article 71 of the convention concerning the treatment of prisoners of war provides for the right to communication with relatives, although the document only mentions the possibility of correspondence. More details are available at this link.

The fact that Russian prisoners of war can make calls, including via video connection, has been referred to by Ukrainian officials as "an act of goodwill," for which a significant amount of money is spent. However, they did not specify the exact amounts involved.

It is worth noting that last year Ukraine was forced to open a fifth camp for prisoners of war because the Russian Federation is blocking the conduct of a sufficient number of exchanges. Over nearly three years of full-scale war, the government has spent more than 294 million hryvnias on the upkeep of prisoners of war.

Cover photo: Kristina Burdim