Russia has created 19 filtration camps along the border with Ukraine and in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.
Source: Deputy Chief of Mission to the US Mission to the OSCE Courtney Austrian
“According to our assessment, Russia, with the help of proxy groups, will almost certainly use the so-called filtration operations to detain and deport Ukrainian civilians to Russia.”
The US diplomat noted that Russian officials had reportedly begun preparations for the filtration process on Ukrainian soil before Feb. 24.
“Russian officials created lists of Ukrainian civilians who were considered a threat to Russian control of Ukraine, including anyone with pro-Ukrainian views, such as politicians and activists, as well as members of the security forces, for the purpose of detention and filtering. At least 18 filtration sites have now been identified along the Ukrainian-Russian border,” Courtney Austrian said.
Referring to eyewitnesses, she pointed out that Russian troops are forcibly moving these Ukrainian civilians to temporary filtration points in schools, cultural centers, sports halls and other public buildings in Russian-controlled parts of eastern Ukraine and Russia, where Russian security forces subject them to harsh interrogations, often with searches and beatings.
The American diplomat noted that such cases should be documented so that anyone who gives orders or participates in these actions can be held accountable.
See also: 43 countries in the OSCE condemned torture and other violence by Russia in the war against Ukraine
