Ukraine demands the return of people deported by Russian occupiers from Sumy region

The abduction of dozens of civilians from the village of Grabovske in the Sumy region by Russian forces has become another episode that Ukraine qualifies as a gross violation of international humanitarian law. Kyiv has publicly appealed to the international community, demanding a legal assessment of the aggressor’s actions and an end to the practice of forced deportations.

The reaction from the Ukrainian side followed almost immediately. The Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, sent official appeals to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Russian ombudsman. He emphasized that the forced relocation of civilians is a serious war crime, for which international responsibility is provided.

According to Lubinets, the residents of Grabovske were effectively held hostage for about two days. On December 18, Russian military detained approximately 50 civilians, completely isolating them from the outside world — without communication, medical assistance, and basic conditions. By December 20, these people were taken to the territory of the Russian Federation.

Information about the incident appeared on Saturday evening. By Sunday morning, the Commissioner’s office began emergency actions. Lubinets appealed to Tatyana Moskalkova demanding data on the whereabouts of the deported, their conditions of detention, and legal status.

The context of the events heightens the alarm. On December 20, Ukrainian and international media reported the capture of the village of Grabovske by Russian units. More than fifty local residents who refused evacuation were forcibly taken to Russia. According to the village head, Larisa Kremezna, there were no children among the deported, but this does not lessen the severity of the crime itself.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed that Russian occupation units crossed the border in the Grabovske area. As a result, Ukrainian forces were forced to withdraw from certain positions. Ukrainian law enforcement agencies have already launched a criminal investigation into the illegal deportation of civilians.

Notably, almost simultaneously at an international conference in Israel, the topic of Russia’s systemic violations of international humanitarian law was raised again. Participants reminded that forced relocations of civilians are not isolated incidents but a persistent practice requiring collective response and legal consequences.

The events in Grabovske underscore that the war increasingly goes beyond combat actions and directly strikes at the basic principles of humanity. The issue of responsibility for such actions becomes not only Ukrainian but also international — and it is in this context that NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency considers it, recording the facts and demanding their legal assessment.