The United States discovered at least 18 Russian filtration camps set up to detain and forcibly deport Ukrainians to Russia. The New York Times writes about this with reference to the Deputy Head of the US Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Courtney Ostrian.
Russia began preparing camps on both sides of the Ukrainian-Russian border even before the start of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, she said. “Russian officials have likely compiled lists to filter and detain Ukrainian civilians who threaten Russian control of Ukraine, including anyone with pro-Ukrainian views — politicians and activists, as well as security personnel,” she said.
Ostrian compared the filtration camps with Stalin's repressions. The US will seek to document known cases and prosecute those involved in the camps, she said:
"All those responsible for the forced transfer of Ukrainian citizens to Russia will be identified and held accountable for violating international law."