Olga Baranevska (Rus. Ольга Бараневская)
Date of birth: 7 September 1963
Abducted since: 15 May 2024
Last known location: City of Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia Region

Olga is from the city of Melitopol in the Zaporizhzhia Region and works as an early childhood educator by profession. Until 24 February 2022, she was employed part-time as a childcare worker in a kindergarten in Melitopol. Immediately after the outbreak of the war, she decided to stop going to work because she did not want to cooperate with the Russian occupying forces. Since autumn 2023, she has been retired.

Abduction

On the evening of 15 May 2024, Olga’s daughter was no longer able to contact her, and she was reported missing. On 27 May 2024, Olga appeared at her mother’s home and was able to inform her that she had been detained by Russian special forces. On the evening of the same day, Olga was again detained by the Russian police for an alleged administrative offence.

Since her detention, she has been held in various pre-trial detention centres in the Zaporizhzhia Region, including in the city of Melitopol, the village of Vesele, and the village of Yakymivka. She is currently being held in the pre-trial detention centre in the city of Donetsk. On 12 August 2024, it became known that criminal proceedings had been initiated against Olga on charges of alleged possession of weapons.

Health Status

Olga has diabetes and requires regular insulin. Before her imprisonment, she was scheduled to undergo surgery to have her gallbladder removed. According to the latest information, Olga has lost 15 kg since being detained.

Status: October 2024