Dozens Rally in Kyiv For Release of Moscow-Held Women Prisoners

Several dozen people, mostly women, rallied in Kyiv Friday to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, in a fifth year of Russia’s invasion. 

The Kremlin’s forces were last month added to a United Nations blacklist on sexual violence in conflict, outraging Russia. 

The protesters called on releasing women held in Russian captivity in Russia and Moscow-occupied Ukraine.

During its invasion, Moscow has taken thousands of Ukrainian troops and an unknown number of civilians captive. 

A teenage girl taking part in the rally held a poster that read “Release my mum”, with other relatives of women held in occupied cities also attending. 

The rally was organised by a group called “Numo, Sestry!”, which translates as “Come on, sisters!.” 

Its head, Liudmyla Guseinova, was held for over three years in the east Ukrainian city of Donetsk, arrested by pro-Russian separatists for supporting Kyiv in 2019.

Held in a notorious prison, she was subjected to various humiliations. 

Guseinova told AFP she was “inspired” Russia had been included on the UN “shame list.” 

She said that sexual violence is “done to break a person.” 

“It is done to force a person to remain silent after returning. This stigma, both for the victims themselves and for society, has not yet been overcome. We must talk about it, not be afraid,” she said. 

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Moscow said it was not responsible for the suspension of communications with Ukraine on agreements and proposals.

Guseinova called on Kyiv -- which regularly exchanges POWs with Moscow --  not to forget about civilians held by Russia. 

While there is no exact data, Guseinova estimated that some 2,000 women may be held by Moscow in occupied territories. 

Russia has expressed outrage over its inclusion in the list, calling it biased. 

The UN report detailed incidents of violence against prisoners of war in occupied Ukrainian territories and within Russia, while also noting UN inspectors have been routinely blocked by Moscow.