Ukrainian officials say they expect the Russians to begin trials of Ukrainian prisoners of war later this month, with the first tribunals to be held in Mariupol.
Vadym Boichenko, the mayor of Mariupol, told a news conference on Friday that “the Russians are planning to hold a trial of Ukrainian prisoners of war in Mariupol on Ukraine’s Independence Day, August 24.”
“The occupiers are turning the Mariupol Philharmonic, the pearl of the city where only festive events were held, into a courtroom for our prisoners of war and civilians,” he said.
Boichenko said: “There are different dates, but they are preparing. In this way, the invaders are trying to create ‘victories’ for their consumers, since they have no real victories on the front lines.”
Officials of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, which is backed by Russia, have also indicated that trials will begin soon.
“The timing of the tribunal for the Ukrainian military and militants will be determined after the investigators’ comprehensive work is completed,” Denis Pushilin, the head of the DPR, told Russian television earlier this week.
“Extensive preparations for the tribunal are underway… I won’t say the exact timing because it still depends on the investigators. As soon as the investigators give the green light,” Pushilin said.
He also said that an air defense group was reinforced in the area of isolation blocks where Ukrainian prisoners of war are being held.
A correspondent for the Russian Defense Ministry’s Zvezda channel reported this week from outside the Philharmonic Hall in Mariupol, noting that “a huge metal framework is being built next to the Philharmonic Hall. This is a future hangar where prison wagons with Azov POWs are likely to come by.”