Russians ban ICRC from visiting place of death of Ukrainian POWs in Olenivka

“Our request to access the POWs from Olenivka penal facility yesterday has not been granted. Granting ICRC access to POWs is an obligation of parties to conflict under the Geneva Conventions,” the ICRC posted on Twitter.

The ICRC added that it would continue seeking access to Olenivka.

As reported, on the night of July 29, an explosion occurred in a building in the territory of penal colony in the occupied Olenivka, Donetsk region, where the Russians are holding Ukrainian prisoners of war, in particular those transferred from Azovstal steelworks. At least 50 Ukrainian POWs were killed.

The Russian side accused the Armed Forces of Ukraine of an alleged HIMARS attack on the colony in Olenivka. Ukraine denies these accusations. The General Staff of the Armed Forces emphasizes that the terrorist attack was committed by Russia, inter alia, to conceal the torture of prisoners.

According to Ukrainian intelligence data, the explosion was carried out by mercenaries of the Russian Liga (Wagner) PMC.

The day before, Russia announced that it had "officially invited" experts from the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross to the site of the death of Ukrainian prisoners of war in Olenivka, following Ukraine's demands.

Photo: InformNapalm

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