Ukraine will file an application with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) next week in connection with all Ukrainian prisoners that are being unlawfully held by Russia, Ukrainian Deputy Justice Minister Serhiy Petukhov said.

"We are going to file an inter-state application against the Russian Federation concerning all of our political prisoners next week. This is a category of individuals whom Russia is deliberately persecuting for their support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and for their pro-Ukrainian positions by abducting them in Crimea or in the territory of the Russian Federation," Petukhov said on Channel Five on Monday.

By filing this application, Ukraine hopes to draw the international community's attention to these people's problems, he said.

"The Strasbourg Court's attention will at least make sure that they are held in worthy conditions," Petukhov said.

An ECHR ruling could help free Ukrainian political prisoners in Russia, he said.

It was reported earlier that Ukraine also plans to file an application with the ECHR against Russia over massive deportation of citizens of Ukraine and other countries from the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula.