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A Polish citizen, Krzysztof Galos, who did not believe Russia had invaded Ukraine, was likely killed while in Russian pretrial detention, according to media and human rights reports.
The Russian rights group Memorial published an account about an unidentified Polish national who died in a pretrial detention center (SIZO) in Taganrog, Russia. Galos’ family from Krakow confirmed that the details matched his disappearance, according to Poland’s Gazeta Wyborcza.
Circumstances Leading to Detention
Memorial said it received information about Galos from a Ukrainian currently in Russian captivity. The witness described a man aged 50–55 who traveled to Ukraine after Russia’s full-scale invasion to see events firsthand. He reportedly drove into a Russian military checkpoint by mistake, was detained, tortured, and died as a result.
Timeline of Disappearance
Galos went missing in spring 2023. At an Easter family dinner, he mentioned a two-week vacation but shared no further details. On April 19, 2023, the family received his last message: “I can’t answer. Everything is fine.”
Authorities later confirmed that he crossed the border into Ukraine on April 20, 2023. His car was last seen in May 2023 near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, then under Russian control. Galos had no ties to Ukraine and had denied the war’s existence, calling it a fabrication.
Family Response and Calls for Investigation
When journalists shared Memorial’s report, Galos’ family immediately recognized him. His son said, “That’s him… It fits, everything falls into place.”
The family has requested a criminal investigation into Galos’ death. They contacted Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, organizations assisting Ukrainian prisoners, and Russia’s Foreign Ministry. Under consular agreements, Moscow is obliged to notify Poland of the detention and death of its citizens, but no official communication has been received.
