Date of Birth: October 22, 1989

Abducted Since: May 12, 2023

Last Known Location: City of Melitopol (Zaporizhzhia Region)

Political Sponsor: Michael Gahler (EVP, Member of the European Parliament) and Frank Steinraths (CDU, Member of the State Parliament of Hesse)

Kostiantyn is an engineer by profession, but has also worked as a dancer abroad for many years. He set up his own metal workshop and wanted to start his own business in his home town of Melitipol (Zaporizhzhya region, Ukraine), but was unable to do so because the Russian invasion began. During the occupation, he did not work but lived off his savings. Kostiantyn left his home in May 2023 and never returned. Today it is known that he was abducted by the Russian military and is in Russian captivity.

Imprisonment and Trial

On the morning of May 12, 2023, Kostiantyn left his home and did not return. Instead, three masked men arrived with his keys and opened the apartment door. His mother was home at the time. The unidentified men told her that Kostiantyn had been arrested for “violating the curfew” and taken to the military command post. They told her not to worry. They then carried out an unauthorized house search that lasted several hours. They took all the money they could find, Kostiantyn’s documents, keys to his workshop and summer house, a computer, and a hunting rifle. It was later revealed that the workshop had been looted and his car, parked in the garage, had also been taken.

On June 14, 2023, individuals identifying themselves as investigators returned to the house for another search. They told his mother that the case was being handled by the FSB and that Kostiantyn had allegedly confessed to “wanting to blow up a man.” They also said he was being held at the police station in the village of Pryazovske (Melitopol District). Two days later, his mother was allowed to bring him some clothing. On June 26, 2023, she was told that Kostiantyn had been transferred to a pre-trial detention center in the village of Chonhar (Kherson Region).

At the same time, Kostiantyn’s wife began sending inquiries to Russian authorities: the prosecutor’s office, the Ministry of Defense, and the human rights commissioner. On August 14, 2023, the prosecutor’s office in Melitopol informed her that criminal proceedings had been opened against her husband. His detention was extended until January 29, 2024. Since January 2024, he has been held in Pre-Trial Detention Center No. 2 in the village of Chonhar, Kherson Region.

The family is in contact with Kostiantyn by letter, receiving about one letter per month at their home address in Melitopol. His mother also travels monthly to Chonhar to bring him food. In his letters, Kostiantyn writes that a lawyer was assigned to him, although it is expected that this lawyer does not represent his interests. He also thanked his family for the food, suggesting that at least part of the supplies are reaching him.

On October 29, 2023, the engineer appeared on the Russian TV channel Russia 1. In the video, a journalist referred to Kostiantyn as a terrorist and a mentally ill person, claiming that he said Ukraine is independent and Russia is a terrorist state. Although criminal proceedings were opened against Kostiantyn and he was in pre-trial detention, Russia has never officially confirmed his captivity. The International Committee of the Red Cross has also not recognized his status as a prisoner. The Russian Ministry of Defense and the FSB deny holding him.

On January 25, 2024, Kostiantyn was brought to another hearing in Melitopol, but no verdict was reached. In March 2024, he was transferred to a detention center in Mariupol (Donetsk Region), where his case was taken over by a military court in the Southern District of Rostov-on-Don (Russian Federation). The first hearing took place at the end of November 2024 via video link, as Kostiantyn remained in the detention center in Mariupol.

Since January 2025, Kostiantyn has been held in Pre-Trial Detention Center No. 1 in Rostov-on-Don. Two more hearings were held at the end of March and mid-April 2025. However, again no verdict was reached. How many more sessions will take place in this show trial remains unknown. The next hearing is scheduled for May 7, 2025.

Health Condition

Before his abduction, Kostiantyn had no chronic illnesses or health problems. Since then, he has written in his letters that he feels “normal.” What “normal” means under these conditions remains unclear. In a broadcast on a Russian propaganda channel where Kostiantyn appeared, it could be seen that at least his arms and legs were intact, but what condition he is in beneath his clothes is unknown.

Status: As of April 2025

Letter to the Russian Ambassador

Subject: Request for the Immediate Release of Ukrainian Civilian Kostiantyn Zinovkin 

Dear Ambassador [INSERT] / Dear Ombudswoman Moskalkova,

I am writing to draw your attention to the arbitrary detention of Ukrainian engineer Kostiantyn Zinovkin (born October 22, 1989), who was unjustly abducted and arrested on May 12, 2023, in Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia Region.

On the morning of May 12, 2023, Kostiantyn left his home and never returned. Instead, three masked individuals arrived at his mother’s house and informed her that he had been arrested for “violating curfew” and taken to the local military command. A criminal case was later initiated against him. As of January 2025, Kostiantyn is being held in Pre-Trial Detention Center No. 1 in Rostov-on-Don. Two additional court hearings took place in late March and mid-April, but once again, no verdict was reached. It remains unclear how many more sessions will be held in what appears to be a show trial.

I am especially alarmed by reports of torture and mistreatment of detainees in Russian penal colonies and pre-trial detention centers. Kostiantyn Zinovkin is an innocent civilian being held without any legitimate legal basis. The rights and freedoms of such individuals must be fully respected and protected.

I strongly urge you to advocate for the lawful and humane treatment of all civilian detainees in Russia, especially those abducted from Ukraine. Please ensure that Kostiantyn is allowed to have contact with his family and access to proper legal representation.

Respectfully,

Letter to the Ukrainian Authorities

Dear Ambassador [INSERT] / Dear Ombudsman Lubinets,

I am writing to draw your attention to the abduction of Ukrainian engineer Kostiantyn Zinovkin (born October 22, 1989), who was unjustly abducted and arrested on May 12, 2023, in Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia Region. I kindly ask that his case be recorded in the Register of Persons Missing under Special Circumstances.

On the morning of May 12, 2023, Kostiantyn left his home and never returned. Instead, three masked individuals came to his mother’s house and informed her that he had been arrested for “violating curfew” and taken to the military command. A criminal case was later opened against him. Since January 2025, Kostiantyn has been detained in Pre-Trial Detention Center No. 1 in Rostov-on-Don. Additional court hearings took place in late March and mid-April, but again, no verdict was reached. It remains unclear how many more sessions will take place in what appears to be a show trial.

I received information about Kostiantyn’s case from the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR), which is actively involved in public advocacy, appeals, and sponsorships for Ukrainian civilian detainees. The organization is in close contact with the families of abducted civilians and works to raise awareness of the conditions and torture many of them endure while in Russian captivity.

I have already submitted an appeal to the Russian authorities, highlighting the case of Kostiantyn Zinovkin and calling for his release.

I sincerely thank you for your tireless work to protect the Ukrainian people and for your continued dedication to the cause of 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

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