On June 10–11, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, together with the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, organized a visit by representatives of foreign diplomatic missions accredited in Ukraine to the “Zakhid-1” prisoner-of-war detention facility. Representatives of 14 states took part in the event, including heads of diplomatic missions.

The purpose of the visit was to confirm Ukraine’s full and unwavering compliance with international humanitarian law, in particular with regard to the treatment of prisoners of war. Participants were able to personally familiarize themselves with the detention conditions, speak with prisoners, and assess the facility’s compliance with the requirements of the Third Geneva Convention. The visit by foreign diplomats to prisoners of war, some of whom are citizens of third countries, also had the important goal of consolidating international efforts to counter russia’s illegal recruitment of mercenaries in countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America and other regions.

Ukraine’s openness to this format of engagement is a conscious and principled position that stands in stark contrast to the practice of the Russian Federation. Russia systematically and grossly violates international humanitarian law, denies international observers access to places where Ukrainian prisoners of war are held, and employs torture and other forms of inhumane treatment.

During the visit to the “Zakhid-1” camp, members of the diplomatic corps were able to see firsthand the conditions in which foreign nationals are held — individuals whom Russia drew into armed aggression against Ukraine through deception or coercion. According to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, at least 3,080 foreigners from 135 countries and unrecognized territories are fighting or have fought on Russia’s side against Ukraine. Their numbers are rising sharply: from 34 people in 2022 to nearly 14,000 in 2025, while Russia’s 2026 plan envisages recruiting more than 18,500 foreign contract fighters. Many of them were recruited under the guise of civilian employment, with no warning whatsoever of possible involvement in combat. Others were coerced into signing contracts by exploiting their legal vulnerability, including expired visas, lack of legal status, or detention for violating Russian migration law.

Ukraine calls on partner states and the international community to take concrete steps to counter Russia’s illegal recruitment activities, to inform their own citizens about the real nature of “contract service” in the russian army, and to hold the Russian Federation accountable for systematic and gross violations of international humanitarian law.