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Ukraine: Sri Lankans freed from Russian brutality

Ukraine's recapture of Izyum has brought forth multiple allegations of atrocities committed under Russian occupation. Amongst these accounts is that of a group of Sri Lankans who were held captive for months. They came to Ukraine in search of jobs, and when war broke out they set out on a huge walk from their homes in Kupiansk to the relative safety of Kharkiv. At a checkpoint they were captured by Russian soldiers.

Mary Edit Uthajkumar, 50, the only woman of the group and kept separated, has told her story: "They locked us in a room, they used to beat us when we went to take a shower...when we came here I was in a good physical condition but due to their torture we have become like this."

(Photo: Two of the Sri Lankan citizens now freed from Russian forces. Mary Edit Ethajkumar on the right. Credit: Vitalii Hnidyi via Reuters)

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