Ukrainian ex-POWs allege systematic torture and sexual abuse in Russian custody
Former Ukrainian detainees and officials accused Russia of widespread torture, beatings and sexual violence against prisoners of war and civilians, while Russia dismissed the claims as disinformation.
During a U.N. Security Council meeting, Ukrainian ex-prisoners and officials presented detailed testimonies of systematic torture, beatings, electric shocks, forced exposure to freezing temperatures and sexual abuse inflicted by Russian captors. One veteran recounted 1,183 days of confinement, the loss of two friends to fatal beatings, and targeted harassment because of his Latino name. A Crimean Tatar activist described being shuffled through seven detention sites after attempting to visit a sick relative.
Russian Deputy U.N. Representative Maria Zabolotskaya dismissed the accusations as a disinformation campaign and claimed Russian detainees in Ukraine suffered similar abuse. U.N. Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Claudia Fuentes Julio confirmed monitoring that documented widespread ill-treatment, including rape, gang rape, genital beatings and electric shocks, affecting the majority of interviewed Ukrainian prisoners. The OHCHR also noted abuse of Russian and third-country prisoners held by Ukraine, but on a markedly smaller scale.
Why it matters
The allegations highlight severe human-rights violations in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, urging international scrutiny and accountability.
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