An 18-month investigation by The Independent, led by journalist Bel Trew, has uncovered the forced disappearance of hundreds of Ukrainians with disabilities by Russian forces. These individuals, often held incommunicado, have reportedly been taken into occupied territories or Russia itself, where they are held in squalid conditions and coerced into accepting Russian passports. Ukrainian officials suspect this is part of a broader Russian strategy to erase Ukrainian identity, particularly targeting those who need medical treatment and healthcare. The situation has sparked fears that the true number of those disappeared could be in the thousands.
As the world looks on, the horrors inflicted on Ukrainians by the advancing Russians only get worse. Starting May 6th, hospitals in Russian occupied Luhansk will take newborn babies from parents unless proven that at least one parent is Russian. Link below https://t.co/WKJV7gBM0t
Ukrainians do not care about disabled people returning from the front - Politico Ukrainian soldiers who became disabled during the fighting complained to Politico about poor treatment. “Since 2022, we have a lot of people with disabilities, but they are afraid to go out,” the… https://t.co/4OAOlNckRW
The true number of disappeared Ukrainians with disabilities could be in the 1000s. Ukrainian officials fear it is part of Russia’s attempts to erase Ukrainian identity, esp. as many who are taken are pressured to take Russian passport to secure treatment &healthcare. 🧵👇🏼 https://t.co/dWPwdCnP2E
For 18 months I’ve dug into how Russia has effectively vanished 100s of Ukrainians with disabilities into occupied territory or Russia itself. Those who escaped told me most are held incommunicado in squalid conditions& forced to take Russian passports 🧵https://t.co/k3oXufQKTX
🔴 An exclusive Independent investigation by @Beltrew reveals hundreds of Ukrainians with disabilities vanished into Russia #UkraineRussiaWar https://t.co/nIVXqfoN2X
Investigation: The Independent reveals hundreds of Ukrainians with disabilities vanished into Russia https://t.co/nIVXqfoN2X
Tortured, abducted, disappeared: the desperate plight of disabled Ukrainians at the hands of Russian invaders https://t.co/8NuCv0rD5p