UN Report Details Widespread Sexual Violence by Russian Forces in Ukraine
A UN report released on Friday revealed widespread sexual violence by Russian forces against Ukrainian detainees, while noting violations by Ukrainian authorities as well.
UN Report Highlights Widespread Sexual Violence in Ukraine
A new United Nations human rights report released on Friday reveals that Russian forces have committed widespread sexual violence against civilians and prisoners of war in Ukraine, including gang rapes and electrocution of genitalia. According to the document, Ukrainian authorities were also responsible for a smaller share of violations.
The report documented 1,004 verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence between February 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and July 2026. Out of these, 89% of the cases were attributed to the Russian side—including armed forces, penitentiary services, and security bodies—while 11% were linked to Ukraine, including members of the Ukrainian armed forces.
"There is often a misconception that conflict-related sexual violence primarily affects women and girls, whereas in the context of the war in Ukraine, the majority of survivors are men," said Danielle Bell, head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.
Systematic Abuses in Russian-Occupied Territories
In Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine and within Russia itself, Russian authorities reportedly subjected Ukrainian prisoners of war and detained civilians to sexual violence across all stages of captivity. Documented violations included gang rape, mutilation of reproductive organs, and the use of Soviet-era field telephones known as "tapik" to administer electrical shocks to male genitalia.
The findings were based on interviews with victims of sexual violence perpetrated by both sides. Most victims in detention were men, particularly prisoners of war and detainees, although women and children were also affected, primarily in Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine.
The report concluded that Russia has failed to take steps to prevent sexual violence, investigate allegations, or prosecute those responsible, while declining to respond to information requests from the UN human rights office.
Ukrainian Violations and Government Response
In government-controlled areas of Ukraine, nearly half of the violations attributed to Ukrainian authorities against Russian prisoners of war and detainees from third countries involved threats of sexual violence and beatings targeting genitalia. However, the UN human rights office noted that it did not document any cases of rape involving Russian prisoners of war by Ukrainian forces.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the publication of the report, emphasizing its value in exposing human rights abuses and detailing Kyiv's efforts to prevent such violence and compensate victims. Meanwhile, Russia's permanent diplomatic mission in Geneva declined to comment on the findings.
