UN Report: Hundreds of Civilians, POWs Subjected to Sexual Violence, Torture Since Russia's Ukraine Invasion
Summary
The UN says hundreds of civilians and prisoners of war have been subjected to sexual violence and torture since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with Russian officials implicated in most documented cases. The report also says Ukrainian officials were involved in some cases and urges both sides to investigate and bring perpetrators to justice.
Key Points
- The UN Human Rights Office says 1,004 cases of sexual violence have been documented since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
- Russian officials were implicated in 89 percent of the cases, while Ukrainian officials were linked to the remaining 11 percent.
- The report says the documented abuses include rape, gang rape, torture, electric shocks, and other humiliating acts.
- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk urged Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukraine and called for investigations by both sides.
