Ukrainian Men Increasingly Face Sexual Violence in Russian Detention Centers, UN Reports

According to Al Jazeera, citing the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), sexual violence against male Ukrainian detainees in Russian detention centers is significantly underreported, mainly due to the stigma surrounding sexual violence.

The UNFPA notes that the official figure of 114 men who have experienced sexual violence since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 is likely an underestimate.

Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office has documented these cases alongside those involving 202 female survivors. However, the UNFPA suggests that for every reported case, there may be 10 to 20 additional unreported incidents.

In its September report, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, established by the UN Human Rights Council in March 2022, highlighted the systematic use of sexual violence as a method of torture, often targeting men, in Russian detention centers. Testimonies from survivors within occupied areas of Ukraine and Russia indicated that higher-ranking Russian personnel either ordered, tolerated, or failed to act against such crimes.

While sexual violence in war typically affects women and girls, the UNFPA reports that men, boys, and people of diverse gender identities are also frequent victims.

The UNFPA’s Massimo Diana emphasized that survivors face numerous barriers when seeking support, including structural challenges and deeply personal issues such as stigma, shame, and fear of being misunderstood. For male survivors, these barriers are often heightened.

Psychologists working with a UNFPA-supported center for survivors noted that many victims struggle with a sense of shame following their abuse. Furthermore, digital tools have been used to amplify footage of sexual torture, further complicating efforts to protect the anonymity of survivors.

The UNFPA also reported that Russian forces have sent videos of male Ukrainian detainees being raped to their relatives, either as blackmail or as a means of humiliation.