UN finds sexual violence used as torture amid Russia

The UN Human Rights Office on Friday released a 20-page report documenting 1,004 cases of sexual violence committed during Russia’s full-scale armed attack against Ukraine between February 24, 2022, and July 31, 2026. The report, titled Sexual Violence in the Context of the Russian Federation Full-Scale Armed Attack against Ukraine, is based on confidential interviews with hundreds of victims and survivors of sexual violence attributed to both Russian and Ukrainian authorities. Investigators also examined court documents, official records, and other relevant materials. The report found that sexual violence was used against civilians and prisoners of war as a method of torture, intimidation and coercion. Of the documented cases, 89 percent were attributed to Russian authorities, including members of the armed forces, prison service, and national security service. The remaining 11 percent were attributed to Ukrainian authorities. According to the UN report, men constituted most of the documented victims of sexual violence, particularly in detention facilities. Women and children were also affected, primarily in Ukrainian territories under Russian occupation. Several male survivors reported being subjected to electric shocks to their genitals using a Soviet-era military field telephone known as a “tapik.” The report states that the use of electric shocks to the genitals with a tapik or taser is a common form of sexual violence against Ukrainian prisoners of war. Twenty-seven percent of victims reportedly experienced this form of abuse at least once. Earlier this month, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk renewed his call for the Russian Federation to immediately, completely, and unconditionally cease its use of force against Ukraine and withdraw its military forces from Ukrainian territory, consistent with the UN Charter and binding international law. The findings come more than four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In late 2021, satellite imagery showed a buildup of Russian troops near Ukraine, prompting concerns of an impending invasion. Diplomatic efforts to avert the conflict ultimately failed. On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced what he described as a “special military operation” aimed to “denazify” and “demilitaris[e]” Ukraine. Soon after Putin’s announcement, Russian ground forces invaded Ukraine from four main fronts in the north, northeast, east, and south, while artillery and missile strikes targeted locations across the country.