The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine published a statement on its official website regarding the intentions of the Russian Federation to commit a flagrant war crime — the trial of Ukrainian prisoners of war, defenders of Mariupol.

 "Any trial of prisoners of war will be a gross violation of the UN Charter, the III Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War from 1949 and Additional Protocol I, a crime against the fundamental norms and principles of international law, will forever establish the status of a terrorist state for Russia, and for Russians - the brand of barbarians.

 Ukraine draws the attention of the international community to the Kremlin's thorough and purposeful preparation for the commission of this crime.

 The court announced by the Russian Federation is null and void.

 All defenders of Mariupol are combatants and after being detained by the enemy, they are granted and guaranteed the status of prisoners of war and appropriate treatment, in accordance with the provisions of international humanitarian law, in particular the III Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War of 1949 and Additional Protocol I.

 Ukraine calls on international partners - international organizations and states - to strongly condemn the illegal actions of the Russian Federation against Ukrainian prisoners of war and to take immediate measures to force Russia to strictly adhere to the norms of international humanitarian law, in particular regarding the treatment of prisoners of war.

 Ukraine documents all facts and events related to the preparation and organization of a possible trial of Ukrainian defenders. Every war criminal involved in this process — from the executioners in Mariupol to the organizers in the Kremlin — will bear the strictest responsibility, no matter how long it takes," the statement reads.