Russia stealing, selling organs of dead Ukrainian prisoners: Soldier’s wife

The wife of a Ukrainian prisoner of war has accused Russia of stealing and selling organs of dead soldiers. Larysa Salaeva, head of the Freedom to Defenders of Mariupol group, claims that several bodies of Ukrainian soldiers returned to Ukraine by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces were found without vital organs. Russian sources denied these allegations, saying they were part of propaganda to demonise its forces.

More than 10,000 Ukrainians are estimated to be in Russia’s custody.

The Ukraine-Russia war began in February 2022, when Russian military forces entered Ukraine from Belarus, Russia, and Crimea. Prior to the invasion, there had already been eight years of conflict in eastern Ukraine between Ukrainian Government forces and Russia-backed separatists.

Salaeva made these claims during a meeting in Ankara, Turkey, between representatives of the families of prisoners of war and the Ukrainian Ambassador to Turkey, Vasyl Bodnar.

“Today it is already known for sure that we receive bodies of those tortured from captivity (during the exchange of bodies). We receive not only tortured bodies, but bodies that, unfortunately, are without organs,” Salaeva said, according to Ukraine Today.

Salaeva believes this indicates an active black market for organ transplantation in Russia, operating with Ukrainian prisoners of war.

“This confirms the fact that the black market for organ transplantation in the Russian Federation is working. And, unfortunately, it is working with our prisoners of war. Therefore, I believe that we need to talk about this to the whole world in order to stop this crime,” she added.

Salaeva also appealed to the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to support the creation of an independent medical commission to monitor the health of soldiers in both Ukrainian and Russian captivity.

“I would also like to ask Turkey to act as a patron country in resolving all humanitarian issues related to the exchange of prisoners of war,” she said.

The deteriorating condition of returned prisoners has also been highlighted. “We see the state of health in which our boys are returning,” the mother of a serviceman remarked. “It’s indescribable: they are thin and need medical help. Every time, their health deteriorates in captivity,” the Daily Mail reported.

RUSSIA DENIES ALLEGATIONS OF ORGAN TRADE

Russia has been accused of violating the Geneva Conventions and humanitarian laws by failing to properly account for the whereabouts of civilians and prisoners.

“We want international agreements to be implemented. Nothing is known about the whereabouts of the civilian population, which is a violation of international law,” said another Ukrainian source, according to The Daily Mail.

More than 10,000 Ukrainian prisoners of war, including both military and civilians, are estimated to be held by Russia.

In response to these claims, Russian sources have denied the allegations, accusing Ukraine of trying to “demonise” Russian forces.

“The fake is an attempt to arouse a new wave of hatred towards Russia on the part of Ukrainian citizens, thereby hoping to once again motivate volunteers and raise the morale of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” reported The Daily Mail.

The Geneva Conventions mandate that the exchange of bodies and prisoners should occur after a conflict.

However, exchanges between Russia and Ukraine have been ongoing since the early months of the war, with the most recent body exchange taking place in June, involving 254 fallen defenders.

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