In a troubling development amidst the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, Larysa Salaeva, head of the Freedom to Defenders of Mariupol group, has accused Russia of engaging in the illicit trade of organs from deceased Ukrainian soldiers. Salaeva’s claims have raised alarm and controversy, as she asserts that several bodies of Ukrainian soldiers returned to Ukraine by Russian forces were found to be missing vital organs.
Salaeva’s accusations emerged during a meeting in Ankara, Turkey, where she met with Ukrainian Ambassador to Turkey, Vasyl Bodnar, to discuss the plight of prisoners of war. Salaeva stated, “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,” according to Ukraine Today.
The Freedom to Defenders of Mariupol head believes that these findings point to a functioning black market for organ transplantation in Russia, implicating Ukrainian prisoners of war in this illegal trade. “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,” Salaeva added.
Salaeva also urged Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to support the establishment of an independent medical commission to monitor the health conditions of soldiers in both Ukrainian and Russian captivity. She further appealed for Turkey to take on a role as a patron country in addressing humanitarian issues related to prisoner exchanges.
The deteriorating health conditions of returned prisoners have also been a point of concern. According to reports from The Daily Mail, a mother of a Ukrainian serviceman remarked on the severe decline in health observed in returning soldiers, describing their condition as “indescribable” and emphasizing their need for urgent medical attention.
Russian Denials and Reactions
In response to these serious allegations, Russian sources have strongly denied any involvement in organ trafficking, labeling the claims as propaganda aimed at demonizing Russian forces. According to The Daily Mail, Russian officials accused Ukraine of using these accusations to incite hatred and boost the morale of Ukrainian forces, stating, “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.”
The Geneva Conventions outline the proper handling and exchange of bodies and prisoners of war, stipulating that such exchanges should occur after a conflict. Despite this, exchanges between Russia and Ukraine have been ongoing since the early months of the war, with the latest body exchange occurring in June, involving 254 fallen defenders.
As the conflict continues, the situation surrounding prisoners of war and the treatment of deceased soldiers remains a contentious and sensitive issue, with both sides presenting conflicting narratives.
