A civilian hostage of Russia
The story of Damian Omelianenko’s captivity
On 24 May 2022, in the occupied city of Berdiansk, Russian forces detained 22-year-old Damian Omelianenko. According to his mother, Tetiana, his only so-called «crime» was studying at a military educational institution. This was used as a pretext to accuse him of creating a «terrorist organization» and carrying out attacks against the occupying forces.
Human rights defenders classify Damian as a civilian hostage taken by Russia.
Damian was illegally held for a month in a basement, where he was beaten and subjected to electric shocks. After a month, he was released — exhausted and without access to medical care — and shortly afterward detained again.
He was transferred from Melitopol to Simferopol, and then to Rostov-on-Don.
Since 24 April 2024, Damian has been held in pre-trial detention centers (SIZO) in Taganrog and Rostov-on-Don. His lawyer is not always granted access; he does not receive parcels from his family, and for a long time he was kept in solitary confinement.
«Ukrainians there are completely cut off from the outside world. You can constantly hear screams coming from the detention center. I understand that they are being tortured there», says Damian’s mother.
Russia is prosecuting Damian under terrorism-related charges. On 12 August 2024, the charges were reclassified as «international terrorism», which carries the risk of a life sentence.
«The charges state that a Ukrainian citizen was detained on the territory of Ukraine for international terrorism. What kind of international terrorism is this, if he was at home?» Tetiana says.
Damian was detained before the sham «referendum», meaning the actions of the occupying authorities were illegal even under Russian law. For two years, Tetiana has been trying — unsuccessfully — to secure prisoner-of-war status for her son through the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Russia has also placed Tetiana herself on the federal wanted list, labeling her a «terrorist».
Yet she continues to fight for her son — briefing human rights defenders, speaking at European conferences, and giving interviews to the media. She does everything possible to ensure that Damian is not forgotten and that he can be included in a prisoner exchange.
Photo provided by the «Media Initiative for Human Rights».