The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns of rising incidence of arbitrary detentions of citizens of Ukraine in Russia

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine notes with concern the recent rising incidence of arbitrary detentions of citizens of Ukraine in the Russian Federation, lack of humane treatment of Ukrainians by Russian law enforcement agencies, their conduct incompatible with human dignity, application of unacceptable methods of physical and psychological influence to our fellows, including tortures.

By these actions, as well as by numerous facts of failure to inform consular offices of Ukraine in Russia about detention of Ukrainians, failure to ensure their inalienable right to meet with a consular officer, the Russian party violates universal norms of international law in the field of human rights and freedoms, as well as its international legal obligations under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963 and the Consular Convention between Ukraine and the Russian Federation of 1994.

Ukrainian party notes that gross violations of international legal obligations by Russia, including those in the field of consular relations, have become persistent.

In this context, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends citizens of Ukraine when planning trips to Russia to consider all risks and threats and to carefully weigh the need of such trips.

In the event of any cases of detention in the territory of Russian Federation, inhumane treatment, physical and psychological abuse by Russian authorities or citizens, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine recommends Ukrainian citizens to immediately contact the hotline of the Prompt Response Center of the Ministry (+38 044) 238-16-57 or directly the hotlines of the consular offices of Ukraine located in Russia, namely:

– Embassy of Ukraine in the Russian Federation (Moscow) +7 919 768-77-96.

– Consulate of Ukraine in Novosibirsk +7 913 799-27-75

– Consulate General of Ukraine in Rostov-on-Don +7 918 587-99-93

– Consulate General of Ukraine in St. Petersburg +7 921 304-05-72

– Consulate of Ukraine in Yekaterinburg +7 953 000-02-07