Impunity and brutality: the UN presented evidence of torture of Ukrainian civilians by the Russian military
The independent international commission to investigate violations in Ukraine presented new evidence of torture of Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war carried out by the Russian authorities both in the temporarily occupied territories and in Russia. This information made public in the report on the UN Ukraine website.
The commission emphasized that torture had become a systematic practice widely used by the Russian occupation forces without fear of punishment.
“The wide geographic reach and widespread patterns of torture demonstrate that torture was carried out as a common and acceptable practice with a sense of impunity.”, the Commission said.
The investigation confirmed that torture was used in many regions of Ukraine temporarily controlled by Russia. New evidence points to the massive and systematic nature of these actions. One of the key elements observed in most places of detention is the ill-treatment of Ukrainian prisoners, including the use of violent methods and sexual violence. Such cases are documented in large penitentiary institutions both in the occupied territories and in Russia itself.
The commission also found evidence of the involvement of specific Russian services in these actions in all investigated places of deprivation of liberty, which indicates coordinated actions of the authorities. In addition, it was noted that in some cases, orders to ill-treat prisoners were issued by higher officials.
Particularly alarming are the testimonies of the victims, who describe brutal torture for several days. One of them said: “The scariest thing is that they did everything silently and professionally. I realized that they did this not for the first time and not only with me – we are not people for them.”.
The commission noted that these actions resulted in serious physical and psychological trauma for many victims, who often experience difficulties reintegrating into society and establishing relationships with loved ones.
The commission also documented cases of shelling of civilian objects on the territory of Ukraine, including hospitals, schools, residential buildings and supermarkets, which led to significant destruction and loss of life. Particular attention is paid to the consequences of Russian attacks on the energy infrastructure of Ukraine, which caused massive power outages, negatively affected the health and well-being of millions of citizens, especially vulnerable groups of the population, such as the elderly and people with disabilities.
“Power outages have particularly affected vulnerable populations. For example, the elderly and people with disabilities face difficulties accessing bomb shelters during emergencies, limited access to vital medical equipment and increased isolation, which greatly increases their vulnerability.”, – commented in the UN.
