At least 36 cases of kidnappings has been registered and confirmed by the UN since the war began. Also the Ukrainian human rights group ZMINA claims to be able to document several cases of kidnapping.
In most cases, the family is denied all information about the fate of those who are being held captive.
Ukrainians now fear an escalating campaign of kidnappings and threats, as a result of Russian forces struggling to take control of strategic targets and cities in Ukraine, according to BBC.
After a month of intense fighting, Russia has still not succeeded in taking control of key cities such as Mariupol, Kharkiv and the capital Kyiv – and they should have trouble with the supply along the advance axes.
A spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), which has been tasked with documenting abductions in Ukraine, told the channel that those targeted were mostly community representatives, journalists and people who were loud about their pro-Ukrainian position.
Misha (17) in war drama: Shot in the back
Disgusting tactics
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss believes the Russian president is now resorting to “desperate measures” because he is not achieving his goals.
“Putin continues to use heinous tactics against the Ukrainian people, including the abduction of innocent civilians,” she said. The Guardianadding that “Putin must fail in Ukraine”.
Great Britain has introduced sanctions against a number of Russian companies, goods and oligarchs, including Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. The Russian state media RT has also lost its license to broadcast in the UK.
On Monday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will have spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj. Both humanitarian aid and more defensive military equipment were among the topics of conversation, according to a Downing Street spokesman, writes BBC.
– Deploys 1000 mercenaries
– Need to do more
In February, US intelligence sent a letter to the UN warning that Russia had prepared a list of Ukrainians who would be attacked or arrested after the invasion of Ukraine, reports NTB.
However, the UN says it has not been able to determine whether those abducted are on such a list.
In a statement to the British House of Commons, Liz Tuss added that more needs to be done to secure Putin’s defeat.
– We know that Putin is not serious about talks. He is still bombing innocent citizens all over Ukraine, which is why we must do more to ensure that he loses and that we force him to rethink.
