The Foundation for the Ukrainian Community of Malta organized a solemn rally in the country’s capital, Valletta, to commemorate the Ukrainian prisoners of war who were brutally killed when Russia bombed a prison where they were held captive.
Some 50-60 Ukrainian captives were killed in the shelling at the Olenivka prison in the Donetsk region on July 29, 2022, according to an internal United Nations’ fact-finding analysis.
“It was a quiet but meaningful presence — because this crime is still not spoken about enough. Even three years later, there are no answers, no justice, no accountability,” the organizers said.
The community gathered “not only to remember but to remind the world: thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians remain in captivity.”
“And every day of silence is our shared responsibility,” the organizers said.
Most of the Ukrainian prisoners had defended the Azov Sea coastal city of Mariupol and used the Azovstal steel plant as their bastion during a nearly three-month Russian siege of the city.
The explosion also wounded more than 130 other prisoners.
“This is one of the largest Russian terrorist attacks against prisoners of war,” Ukraine’s parliament said.
On July 28, both the diaspora and Ukraine officially observed the Day of Remembrance for the defenders of Ukraine, including volunteer fighters and civilians who were executed, tortured, or died in captivity.
“Thank you to everyone who came and showed their support. A special thank you to our foreign friends and supporters — your presence and compassion means to us more than words can express,” the Maltese Ukrainian community said.
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