Late on the night of July 29, 2022, on the grounds of Colony No. 120 in Olenivka, the Russians carried out a terrorist attack aimed at the brutal murder of the unarmed and exhausted heroic defenders of Mariupol, whom they had been holding captive for over two months at that point.
The day before, on July 27, nearly 200 fighters from the Azov Brigade were transferred to a hastily renovated building in the prison’s industrial zone. The following evening, they were lined up, checked off a list, and led into the barracks one by one, with orders not to go outside.
Around 11:15 p.m., an explosion was heard outside the prison, and around midnight, a second one rang out—this time inside the cell block. As a result of the explosion, the cell block collapsed and a fire broke out. All the prisoners who were in the part of the barracks where the explosion occurred and the flames were raging died; those in the other part suffered severe injuries and horrific burns. Screams could be heard from inside, but it was already impossible to enter. Meanwhile, the prison administration did not extinguish the fire or provide medical assistance.
Only three hours after the attack did the prison’s occupation administration allow prisoners with medical experience to assist those who had managed to escape on their own. The occupiers did not begin evacuating the victims until the morning and transported them by truck. Due to these transport conditions, some of the wounded died en route.
According to information published in the annual report of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights on the state of observance and protection of human and civil rights and freedoms in Ukraine in 2024, as a result of the explosions and fire at the prison, at least 41 Ukrainian servicemen were killed immediately, and more than 145 sustained injuries of varying severity. Another 9 people died as a result of delayed and inadequate medical care. Although Ukrainian prisoners of war are protected under the Geneva Conventions, the occupying forces did not allow international organizations to inspect the scene of the incident. Instead, they attempted to destroy and conceal evidence of the crime.
On July 27, 2024, following the investigation, the warden of the Olenivka Correctional Colony and his first deputy were notified that they were suspected of cruel treatment of prisoners of war, combined with premeditated murder, committed by a group of individuals acting in concert.
The crime in Olenivka remains unpunished. Everyone involved in carrying out this terrorist attack must face the harshest consequences.
The terrible pain of losing our heroes will never subside. May their memory live on and their glory be eternal! We will neither forget nor forgive!