The United Kingdom has called on Russia to grant the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) immediate, safe, and unfettered access to all Ukrainian prisoners of war and their places of detention. This call was made by UK Chargé d’Affaires, Deputy Ambassador James Ford, during an address to the Permanent Council on 8 October 2026.
Mr Ford stated that the ICRC has confirmed it has had no access to Ukrainian prisoners of war held in Russia since 2024. He highlighted that the 2025 OSCE Moscow Mechanism report documented a pattern of torture, ill-treatment, sexual violence, executions, and deaths in custody concerning Ukrainian prisoners of war.
The UK also expressed strong support for the ICRC's mandate and its neutral, impartial, and independent humanitarian action, paying tribute to its personnel. Mr Ford further urged Russia to meet its obligations under international humanitarian law, particularly regarding access to detainees and the protection of humanitarian workers and supplies.
He noted that strikes this year have destroyed humanitarian warehouses containing essential supplies, and in September, the World Health Organization reported three of its warehouses in Ukraine were destroyed or damaged by air strikes in three months. The need for access is particularly urgent in temporarily occupied Oleshky, where testimony describes life without electricity, water, food, medical care, or a safe way to leave.