Prisoners moved from Makiivka
Ukrainian captives are being relocated to Russian penal colonies in Tambov Oblast and beyond.
By Elena Greco ·
Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian political detainees are leaving occupied Makiivka. The transfer moves individuals to strict-regime facilities in central Russia. Some are now serving sentences alongside Russian convicts. This change affects the daily lives of roughly 35 Ukrainians previously held in Donetsk Oblast.
The relocation process began in August 2026. The first group to depart included five Ukrainian servicemen and one civilian. Vitalii Chmil, a soldier captured earlier, was moved from Makiivka in mid-August. He was first held in a pre-trial detention center in Krasnoyarsk. Russian volunteers later helped Chmil contact his family. He is currently in strict-regime colony No. 1 in Kyzyl, Tyva Republic.
Recent movements have split the remaining group. Some political prisoners and criminal convicts were sent to strict-regime penal colony No. 1 in Tambov. Another group was moved to strict-regime colony No. 5 in Morshansk, Tambov Oblast. A number of political prisoners still remain in Makiivka. Their final destination has not yet been determined.
The Makiivka administration cited winter conditions as a primary reason for the move. Officials stated a lack of funds for coal made heating difficult. Water supply interruptions and power outages in occupied Donetsk Oblast also contributed to the decision. Russian law changes further drove the relocation. New regulations require those convicted of terrorism and extremism to serve sentences far from home. The Makiivka facility also reportedly fails to meet Russian standards.
Approximately 100 to 120 convicts in a settlement colony attached to the main facility will stay in Makiivka for the winter. The vacated cells are already being refitted. Workers are installing new CCTV cameras in the empty space.
On October 23, 2026, two Ukrainian servicemen returned from captivity. Anatolii Kapitskyi, captured in 2020, and Serhii Heremes, held since 2018, were part of a prisoner swap. Most of the remaining captives have been in custody for seven to nine years. Russian courts sentenced them to terms of 10 to 17 years. Charges include espionage, terrorism, and extremism.
About 30 Ukrainian prisoners from colony No. 32 remain on exchange lists. They continue to await release or further transfer.
Source: Ukrainska Pravda
