Witnesses. Captivity that kills

Свідки. Полон вбиває.

This investigation into the explosion that killed Russian-held Ukrainian prisoners highlights the importance of recording atrocities as wars still rage and the key role played by the Ukraine War Archive.

On the night of July 29, 2022, an explosion destroyed a building in a Russian-operated prison in Molodizhne, near Olenivka, in the Donetsk region. It housed Ukrainian prisoners, many of whom had fought in the siege of Mariupol. Somewhere between 53-62 were killed, with many more wounded. No sooner had the explosion made headlines than the Russian propaganda machine kicked in, obfuscating claims that the explosion was to cover-up the mass torture and murder being carried out there. Maryna Roshchyna and Tetiana Symon’s film draws on available testimonies and footage to piece together what took place and to locate the incident within the wider context of the conflict. It also highlights the essential work being carried out by the Ukraine War Archive, which is racing to record evidence of war crimes before it is erased.

Supported by the UK/UA Creative Partnerships programme designed by the British Council and the Ukrainian Institute. The UK/UA Creative Partnerships programme aims to continue and strengthen the collaborations that have emerged between UK and Ukrainian cultural organisations as a result of or in parallel to the UK/Ukraine Cultural Season 2022-2023.

Content Guidance: Film contains scenes of war.