Jun 7, 2024,05:28pm EDT
Dispatches from Ukraine: Day 835
National:
Ukraine’s prosecutor general, Andrii Kostin, has reported that over 2,000 Ukrainians have been subjected to torture and inhumane treatment while in Russian captivity. Videos circulating online show evidence of this torture occurring in a network of detention centers across approximately 15 regions of Russia.
In the latest prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine on May 31, 75 Ukrainian prisoners, including four civilians, were released and returned home. Among them was Roman Horilyk, a senior controller at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, who returned emaciated and frail after two years in a Russian prison. His appearance resembled that of Nazi concentration camp survivors. According to the volunteer center “I Want to Live,” which coordinates surrender appeals from Russian combatants, Russia seeks to conceal its mistreatment of prisoners of war by denying access to international observers, including the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has committed $325 million to support the recovery of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Russia has recently intensified attacks on Ukraine’s critical energy-generating facilities, including the Trypillia thermal power plant. State-owned energy companies such as Ukrenergo, Ukrhydroenergo, and Ukrnafta will use the funds to restore and decentralize generation capacities and infrastructure. Meanwhile, the United States has announced a new aid package, directing $225 million for the reconstruction of Ukraine’s power grid and providing arms and ammunition to its army.
The European Commission has announced support for starting negotiations for Ukraine’s entrance into the EU, following Ukraine’s completion of four essential reforms. The process of EU admission involves a lengthy review to ensure the candidate country meets democratic standards. Ukraine applied for EU membership soon after Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Dnipropetrovsk region: A Russian missile attack on the city of Dnipro’s residential area on June 4 injured six civilians and caused extensive damage to homes and buildings. “It is simply impossible to live here,” said one of the victims.
Kherson region: Russian shelling on the same day killed one person in the town of Veletenske and injured another in the village of Bilozirkan.
Monobank Assistance: Ukrainian bank Monobank has purchased a new house for Lidia Stepanivna, a 98-year-old resident of Ocheretyne village, who walked six miles towards Ukraine-controlled territory after her house in the Donetsk region was destroyed by Russian shelling. Her story was reported by Ukraine’s national police on April 29 after she was found and brought to a police station by Ukrainian servicemen. “I lived through that war [World War II] and I am living through this war. I have nothing left. But I came out on my own with my Ukraine,” Stepanivna said. Monobank’s founder, Oleh Horokhovskyi, ensured that Stepanivna would have a new home. Photos released on June 4 show her, wearing a pink sweater, in front of her new house covered with green leaves.