«Civilians in Captivity: Stories of Unjust Detentions VR» is the first VR project in Ukraine that offers viewers a glimpse behind the walls of a detention facility, reconstructed based on real testimonies of Ukrainians unlawfully imprisoned by russia since 2014.
The virtual reconstruction recreates a typical cell where civilians are held – under constant pressure, in isolation and without access to legal protection. It is a space where every day is a test of endurance and every minute a fight to preserve human dignity.
Project Goal
The main goal of Civilians in Captivity is to give a voice to those who remain behind bars for their beliefs. The project aims not only to show the physical conditions of imprisonment, but also to convey the internal state of a person in captivity: loneliness, psychological pressure and isolation. This immersive experience has become a tool for advocacy, enabling a new way to talk about human rights violations.
Format
The project is implemented as an interactive VR tour, designed with high attention to detail:
- The virtual space is modeled after real descriptions of temporary detention cells;
- Users can move within the environment, approach objects and activate narrative elements;
- The audio features integrated excerpts from interviews with former detainees, along with authentic prison sounds;
- The scene is designed to deliver a short but intense experience – up to 10 minutes of full immersion.
The VR tour is optimized for use with Meta Quest 2 / 3 headsets.
Purpose
The project has already been presented at international human rights events and forums. It serves as a visual testimony that complements legal and documentary materials gathered by human rights defenders. The voices of those still imprisoned must be heard – and this project is one more step toward making that happen.
