Date of Birth: October 2, 1984

Abducted Since: March 19, 2022

Last Known Location: Village of Nikolske, Donetsk Region

Political Sponsor: Vanessa Gronemann (Alliance 90/the Greens, Member of the State Parliament of Hesse)

Before his captivity in Russia, Dmytro worked as a forester. He is married and the father of five minor children. Dmytro’s family is in despair. His children don’t understand where their father has gone and constantly ask their mother when he will return.

Abduction

When the village of Nikolske was occupied, neighbors informed the Russian military about Dmytro’s past military service in the Ukrainian army from 2015 to 2016. The Russian military stormed Dmytro’s house and abducted him in front of his wife and five children. The soldiers were not deterred by the fact that Dmytro’s youngest child was only three months old at the time.

He was initially held in Kalinin Penal Colony No. 27 in the city of Horlivka (occupied part of Donetsk Region) and later transferred to Kirov Penal Colony No. 33 (also in the occupied part of Donetsk Region).

Health Condition

Before his captivity, Dmytro weighed 90 kg. He now weighs about 60 kg, according to a letter he wrote to his wife.

Status: As of April 2024

Letter to the Russian Ambassador

Subject: Request for the Immediate Release of Ukrainian Civilian Dmytro Katsura

Dear Ambassador [INSERT] / Dear Ombudswoman Moskalkova,

I am writing to draw your attention to the arbitrary detention of Ukrainian civilian Dmytro Katsura (born October 2, 1984), who was unjustly abducted and arrested on March 19, 2022, in the village of Nikolske (Donetsk Region).

When Nikolske was occupied, neighbors informed the Russian military that Dmytro had previously served one year in the Ukrainian army. As a result, Russian forces stormed his home and abducted him in front of his wife and five children. He was later transferred to Kirov Penal Colony No. 33, located in the Russian-occupied part of Donetsk Region.

I am especially alarmed by reports of torture and abuse of detainees in Russian penal colonies and pre-trial detention centers. Dmytro Katsura is an innocent civilian being held without any legal justification. The rights and freedoms of such individuals must be fully respected and protected in accordance with international law.

I appeal to you to ensure the lawful and humane treatment of all civilian detainees in Russia, particularly those abducted from Ukraine. Please allow Dmytro to have contact with his family and ensure that legal representation is made available to him.

Respectfully,

Letter to the Ukrainian Authorities

Dear Ambassador [INSERT] / Dear Ombudsman Lubinets,

I am writing to draw your attention to the arbitrary detention of Ukrainian civilian Dmytro Katsura (born October 2, 1984), who was unjustly abducted and arrested on March 19, 2022, in the village of Nikolske (Donetsk Region).

When the village of Nikolske was occupied, neighbors informed the Russian military that Dmytro had previously served one year in the Ukrainian army. As a result, Russian soldiers stormed his home and abducted him in front of his wife and five children. He was later transferred to Kirov Penal Colony No. 33, located in the Russian-occupied part of the Donetsk region.

I received information about his detention from the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR), which supports Ukrainian civilian detainees through public advocacy, appeals, and sponsorships. The organization is in close contact with the families of those abducted and works actively to raise awareness about the plight of Ukrainians held in Russian captivity and the torture many of them endure.

I have submitted an appeal to the Russian authorities highlighting the case of Dmytro Katsura and demanding his release.

I sincerely thank you for your tireless efforts to protect the Ukrainian population and for your continued dedication to supporting abducted civilians.

Respectfully,

Addresses

Ombudswoman of the Russian Federation
Tatyana H. Moskalkova
Smolenskij, d. 19, str. 2
119121 Moscow
Russia

Ombudsman (Human Rights Commissioner) of Ukraine
Dmytro Lubinets
Human Rights Commissioner in the Ukrainian Parliament
Vulica Instytutska, 21/8
01008 Kyiv
Ukraine
Email: hotline@ombudsman.gov.ua

Ambassadors and Addresses of Embassies