Lubinets stated that Russia systematically spreads disinformation about prisoners of war

The Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinez on August 10 stated that Russia systematically produces disinformation about the status of Ukrainian prisoners of war and missing persons. According to the ombudsperson, Ukraine, in contrast, provides transparency in humanitarian matters, in particular granting international observers access to places where prisoners are held. Lubinec claimed that the goal of Russian narratives is not to protect people's rights, but to discredit the Ukrainian state on the international stage. He also urged journalists and Ukraine's partners to critically verify information spread by the Russian side.

In his appeal Lubinec detailed the mechanism of this "factory of doubts." According to him, Russia continues to use the information space as a weapon, and for 13 year the enemy has spread disinformation to discredit Ukraine and undermine trust in Ukrainian state institutions — as stated in ombudsperson Dmitro Lubinec's Telegram channel. He said that each time new fabrications and mechanisms appear, and Russian state bodies and security services continually plan and implement such measures.

The ombudsperson explained exactly what tools Russia uses to form fake narratives about the treatment of prisoners.

"Russia systematically spreads narratives about alleged violations of international humanitarian law by Ukraine regarding prisoners of war. For this, fabricated or manipulatively interpreted materials are used, as well as information from Russian propaganda sources," wrote Dmytro Lubinec.

He added that testimonies obtained under pressure are also disseminated, the veracity of which has not been independently confirmed. In the ombudsperson's view, the true aim of such campaigns is to discredit Ukraine, create a basis for promoting Russian propagandist narratives on the international arena, and also to influence humanitarian organizations, human rights institutions, and world media.

Treatment of prisoners of war

Lubinec emphasized that Ukraine adheres to international humanitarian law and fulfills obligations regarding the treatment of prisoners of war, while he himself continues parliamentary oversight of their detention conditions. According to him, the Ukrainian side ensures access for representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross to places where Russian prisoners of war are held, enabling independent humanitarian monitoring.

At the same time, the ombudsperson added, the situation from the Russian side is the opposite.

"The Russian Federation systematically fails to provide proper access for ICRC representatives to places of detention of Ukrainian prisoners of war. This is why we are unable to objectively assess their detention conditions, health status, and compliance with their rights guaranteed by the Geneva Conventions," said Dmytro Lubinec.

Urged people to check sources of information

At the end of the appeal, the ombudsperson urged international partners and journalists to be especially vigilant about information spread by the Russian side, since Russia constantly seeks to manipulate and use propaganda as a weapon.

"Check the origins of messages and trust only facts confirmed by sources! Lies and manipulation can cause as much damage as missiles," added Dmytro Lubinec.

According to him, it is critically important to call things by their proper names, verify facts, and not allow propaganda to substitute the truth, because it affects not only trust but also the protection of human rights and the international legal order.

Earlier, Informator reported that four more Ukrainian children returned from occupation thanks to Dmytro Lubinec's efforts. Children aged 6 to 15 were taken from temporarily occupied territories of Luhansk, Kherson, and Mariupol. Lubinec also reported how many Ukrainian civilians-hostages remain in captivity.