Serhii Sergeev (Russian: Сергей Сергеев)
Date of Birth: February 23, 1986
Abducted Since: March 3, 2022
Last Known Location: Village of Hrakove, Kharkiv Region

Before his captivity in Russia, Serhii worked as a mechanic for a company that produces plastic sheeting. With the start of the invasion, his family’s village was occupied by Russian military forces.

Abduction

Serhii last spoke with his wife by phone on March 3, 2022. When she tried to call him again that evening, she could no longer reach him. Later, neighbors reported that Russian soldiers had come to Serhii’s home that day, beaten him, and abducted him by force. His destination remains unknown.
Serhii’s mother-in-law repeatedly visited the Russian military headquarters to inquire about his fate but received conflicting answers: “Everything is fine, we’ll release him this evening,” or, “He was taken by helicopter to Belgorod because he said his wife was abroad and he wanted to leave to be with her.”

After a new commander took over the office, the response changed to: Serhii was not in their custody.

Since his abduction, Serhii’s family has had no information about his whereabouts or fate.

Health Condition

Before his abduction, Serhii was in good health. Since then, nothing is known about his current condition.

Status: As of April 2025

Letter to the Russian Ambassador

Subject: Request for the immediate release of Ukrainian civilian Serhii Sergeev

Dear Ambassador [INSERT] /Dear Ombudswoman Moskalkova,

I am writing to draw your attention to the arbitrary detention of Ukrainian civilian Serhii Sergeev (born 23 February 1986), who was innocently detained and abducted on 3 March 2022 in the village of Hrakove, Kharkiv region.

Serhii last had contact with his wife on 3 March 2022. When she tried to call him again that evening, he could no longer be reached. Neighbors later reported that Russian soldiers had visited him that day, abused him and forcibly abducted him. His whereabouts remain unknown to this day.

I find the reports of torture and ill-treatment of prisoners in Russian detention centers and remand prisons particularly disturbing. Serhii Sergeev is an innocent civilian detained without any legitimate legal basis. The rights and freedoms of the persons concerned must be fully respected and protected.

I appeal to you to advocate for the lawful and humane treatment of all civilian prisoners in Russia, especially the abducted Ukrainians. Please allow him to contact his family and provide him with legal representation.

Yours sincerely,

Letter to the Ukrainian Authorities

Dear Ambassador [INSERT] /Dear Ombudsman Lubinets,

I am writing to draw your attention to the abduction by the Russian military of Ukrainian civilian Serhii Sergeev (born 23 February 1986), who was innocently captured on 3 March 2022 in the village of Hrakovye, Kharkiv region. Please note his fate in the register of missing persons in special circumstances.

Serhii last spoke to his wife on the phone on 3 March 2022. When she tried to call him again in the evening, she could no longer reach him. His Neighbors later said that Russian soldiers came to Serhii’s house that day, beat him and took him away by force. His mother-in-law enquired about Serhii’s fate several times but received different answers. It is still unknown where he was taken to.

I received the information about the prisoner from the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR), an organization that campaigns for Ukrainian civilian prisoners through public relations work, appeals and sponsorships. The organization is in close contact with family members of the deportees and endeavors to draw attention to the situation of the deported Ukrainians and the torture to which they are subjected in Russian captivity.

I have made an appeal to the Russian authorities, drawing attention to the situation of Serhii Sergeev and calling for his release.

Thank you for your tireless work to protect the Ukrainian people and your commitment to the abducted civilians.

Yours sincerely,

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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