The investigation sheds light on Belarus’ role in enabling Russia’s military operations and alleged human rights violations.
The camp, located near the Belarusian-Ukrainian border in the small town of Naroulia, operated in a former industrial complex during the spring of 2022. Witnesses described overcrowded conditions, insufficient food, and inadequate sanitation. Ukrainian men accused of resisting Russian occupation were reportedly interrogated and mistreated by Russian military personnel.
One former detainee recounted beatings and psychological abuse during interrogations intended to extract information about Ukrainian military activities. Russian soldiers allegedly accused detainees of being spies or saboteurs, with some individuals forcibly disappeared after questioning.
The camp’s strategic location near the Pripyat River and the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone allowed Russian forces to transport Ukrainian civilians across borders without attracting international scrutiny. Satellite imagery and testimonies suggest that hundreds of civilians may have passed through the facility before it was abandoned in mid-2022, following Russia’s retreat from northern Ukraine.
The investigation raises concerns about Belarus’ complicity in potential breaches of international law, including violations of the Geneva Conventions. By hosting such camps, Belarus has facilitated acts that human rights organizations describe as war crimes.
“These filtration camps cannot be built without relevant government officials giving their consent. And when people are beaten, tortured, and denied medical care, this is a war crime,” said Yulia Polekhina, a human rights advocate.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s administration has not responded to requests for comment.
The discovery of the camp underscores Belarus’ overlooked role in Russia’s war against Ukraine. BIC’s findings indicate that Belarusian territory has been used not only as a staging ground for military operations but also for the detention and mistreatment of civilians.
Human rights organizations have condemned filtration camps as part of a broader pattern of war crimes committed by Russian forces. These facilities are believed to facilitate the forced deportation of Ukrainian civilians to Russia and suppress resistance in occupied territories.
Despite mounting evidence, Belarusian and Russian officials have denied the existence of such camps or any mistreatment of civilians. BIC’s report calls for international scrutiny and independent monitoring of border regions to prevent further abuses and ensure accountability.
