UN Reveals State-Backed Sexual Violence Against Men in Russian Prisons Targeting Ukrainian Civilians and POWs

The Russian authorities are systematically torturing Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians, which constitutes a crime against humanity, according to a new report by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine presented to the General Assembly.

The commission, which has been working since the start of Russia's aggression and has prepared a series of reports, also documented the widespread use of violent practices in detention facilities in the Russian Federation, as well as in pretrial detention centers in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

According to the commission's findings, the torture is deliberate and systematic.

The latest report also highlights that documented cases show Russian authorities enlisted personnel who acted in a coordinated manner and according to a division of labor to carry out the torture. Additionally, Russian authorities used sexual violence as a form of torture during detention, which is also considered torture.

In an interview with Voice of America, commission chair Erik Møse confirmed that, based on evidence, the commission determined that Russian authorities acted in line with a coordinated state policy of torturing Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war.

“Therefore, they have committed crimes against humanity,” he stated.

The commission recommended that the Russian Federation hold accountable those responsible, including commanders and those who ordered, incited, or encouraged the commission of international crimes.

It also advised taking necessary measures to prevent such violations and crimes, cooperating with all international monitoring and investigative bodies, taking all possible preventive measures to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and ending attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Earlier, Viktoriia Tsymbaliuk, a representative for the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War (POWs) reported that at least 177 Ukrainian prisoners confirmed dying while in Russian captivity since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with the real number likely to be much higher.