Date of Birth: May 25, 1967

Abducted Since: March 29, 2022

Last Known Location: City of Balakliia, Kharkiv Region

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

Volodymyr is a pensioner. Before retirement, he worked as a driver. He openly maintained his pro-Ukrainian stance during the Russian occupation. Because of his steadfastness and refusal to “bow his head” and obey, he was abducted by Russian forces. The sick retiree was tortured and abused.

Imprisonment

On March 29, 2022, around 3:00 p.m., Volodymyr and his friend Eduard were on their way home, driving a silver FIAT Doblo with license plate 8337. At the first Russian checkpoint in the village of Verbivka near the city of Balakliia, their car was stopped by Russian military. The men were checked for pro-Ukrainian tattoos. According to Eduard, they were stripped in the cold, blindfolded, and bound before being taken to a basement that looked like it belonged to a logistics company. Three days later, Eduard was released after handing over his car, valuables, and money. Eduard refused to give Volodymyr’s family further details, as he was extremely frightened. Another witness, who was also in captivity at the time, suspects that Volodymyr may have been taken to Belgorod (Russia) on April 1, 2022.

On November 30, 2022, Volodymyr’s family learned that he was being held in Pre-Trial Detention Center No. 3 in the Belgorod Region. They were informed by volunteers who had sent a letter to Volodymyr to the aforementioned institution. They were informed that ‘the letter was handed over to the recipient after censorship’. In this way, it was established that Volodymyr was in the Belgorod region of Russia.

Health Condition

Before his captivity, Volodymyr suffered from a severe form of ankylosing spondylitis, a chronic autoimmune disease that causes damage to the spine. The disease has worsened over the last 10 years. His spine is curved in the neck and shoulder area. There have been cases of unconsciousness due to a pain syndrome or a circulatory disorder of the brain. His current state of health is still unknown.

Status: As of April 2024

Letter to the Russian Ambassador

Subject: Request for the immediate release of Ukrainian civilian Volodymyr Zbukar

Dear Ambassador [INSERT] /Dear Ombudswoman Moskalkova,

I am writing to draw your attention to the arbitrary detention of Ukrainian civilian Volodymyr Zbukar (born May 25, 1967), who was innocently abducted and arrested on March 29, 2022, in Verbivka, near the town of Balakliya.

At approximately 3:00 p.m. on March 29, 2022, Volodymyr and his friend were on their way home. At a Russian checkpoint in the village of Verbivka, near the town of Balakliya, their car was stopped by Russian soldiers. Mr. Zbukar’s friend, who was arrested with him, reports that they were both stripped in the cold and taken to a basement room, blindfolded and handcuffed. Initially, there was only speculation that Mr. Zbukar might have been taken to Belgorod (Russia) on 1 April 2022. His family only learned of his detention in Remand Prison No. 3 in that region on 30 November 2022.

I find the reports of torture and ill-treatment of prisoners in Russian penal camps and pre-trial detention centers particularly disturbing. Volodymyr Zbukar is an innocent civilian being held without any legitimate legal basis. The rights and freedoms of the individuals concerned must be fully respected and protected.

I appeal to you to ensure the lawful and humane treatment of all civilian prisoners in Russia, especially the displaced Ukrainians. Please allow him access to 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 arbitrary detention of Ukrainian civilian Volodymyr Zbukar (born May 25, 1967), who was innocently abducted and arrested on March 29, 2022, in Verbivka, near the town of Balakliya.

At approximately 3:00 p.m. on March 29, 2022, Volodymyr and his friend were on their way home. At a Russian checkpoint in the village of Verbivka, near the town of Balakliya, their car was stopped by Russian soldiers. Mr. Zbukar’s friend, who was detained with him, reports that they were both stripped in the cold and taken to a basement room, blindfolded and handcuffed. Initially, there was only speculation that Mr. Zbukar might have been taken to Belgorod (Russia) on 1 April 2022. His family only learned of his detention in Remand Prison No. 3 in that region on 30 November 2022.

I received the information about the prisoner from the International Society for Human Rights (IGFM), which works on behalf of Ukrainian civilian prisoners through public relations, appeals, and sponsorships. The organization is in close contact with the families of the deported Ukrainians and strives to raise awareness of the situation of deported Ukrainians and the torture they are subjected to in Russian captivity.

I addressed an appeal to the Russian authorities, drawing attention to Volodymyr Zbukar’s situation and demanding his release.

I thank you for your tireless work to protect the Ukrainian population and your commitment to the deported 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

Ambassadors and Addresses of Embassies