In Vienna, Dmytro Shabanov, a security assistant from eastern Ukraine working with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), was seized from his home in the Luhansk region in April 2022, just weeks after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Along with him, two other Ukrainian OSCE employees, Maksym Petrov and Vadym Golda, were also detained by pro-Russian forces. Their continued imprisonment for more than three years has raised significant concerns among OSCE officials, human rights advocates, and Western governments, who demand their immediate release and express concern over their health and prison conditions amidst allegations of torture.
Margaryta Shabanova, Dmytro’s wife living in Kyiv, recounted the night of his abduction, stating, "He was taken from his home after the curfew took effect." She spoke about the emotional toll his absence has taken on her, with daily hopes fading into despair as time goes on. "Painfully, days stretch on, and nothing changes. The waiting, the not knowing, the endless hope slowly turning into quiet despair," she said. Margaryta emphasized the emptiness at home, missing birthdays and holidays with her husband, who was dedicated to his job at the OSCE, believing it could positively impact lives in the region.
The OSCE's mission in eastern Ukraine, aimed at observing ceasefires and facilitating dialogue since 2014, was obstructed when Russia blocked the mission's extension on March 31, 2022. Following their arrests, Shabanov and Petrov were convicted of treason in September 2022, sentenced to 13 years, while Golda was convicted of espionage in July 2024 and given a 14-year sentence. Despite their documented immunity as OSCE personnel, they were detained and prosecuted under the Russian-controlled courts in Luhansk and Donetsk.
In November 2022, the Russian Foreign Ministry denounced OSCE monitors as biased and illegal, insinuating they were working to gather information for the Ukrainian military. The OSCE condemned the trials and sentences, calling for the immediate release of the detainees, affirming that they were fulfilling their official duties as mandated by all 57 OSCE member states, including Russia itself. Following Russia's annexation of several Ukrainian regions in September 2022, including Donetsk and Luhansk, the situation for the detained workers has become increasingly dire.
As of March 27, 2025, Shabanov was reportedly transferred to a high-security penal colony in Omsk, Siberia, raising alarms about the harsh conditions faced by imprisoned individuals in that region. Rights advocates and associates have pointed out that the harsh climate and lack of medical care could be detrimental to their health. Reports from fellow inmates suggest that both Shabanov and Petrov were subjected to torture during their interrogations, forcing them to sign confessions under duress.
The potential use of the three OSCE workers as bargaining chips by Moscow for future negotiations has been speculated. Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen stressed that the imprisonment of civilian officials from international organizations is "completely unacceptable," expressing the urgency of securing their release. Furthermore, Ukrainian authorities continue to call for their unconditional release, highlighting the illegal nature of their detention and the more significant implications it has on international norms and the ongoing conflict.
Margaryta Shabanova has urged global leaders and organizations not to overlook her husband’s plight, emphasizing the necessity of action from those with the power to effect change. As she longs for reunification with her husband, she stated, "Do not look away," highlighting the responsibility of the OSCE and the international community in seeking justice and accountability for the wrongful detention of her husband and his colleagues.
