The United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine revealed on Monday that Russian occupiers subjected Ukrainians to torture so brutal, it led to fatalities. In addition to this, families were forced to hear the rape of women occurring in adjacent rooms. These horrific facts were part of the latest field findings described in its update.
The Commission, established by the UN, uncovered the extensive and systematic use of torture by Russian armed forces, principally targeting those suspected of providing information to Ukrainian forces. Torture included the use of explosive weapons and sexual violence against civilians in Ukraine. These facts arose from a series of interviews undertaken by the Commission.
Over ten field visits, the Commission interacted with survivors of these Russian atrocities across regions such as Cherkasy, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, among others. In Kherson, they recorded instances of rape and sexual violence by Russian soldiers against women ranging from ages 19 to 83, often accompanied by threats or other acts of violation.
The Commission also expressed grave concerns about allegations of genocide in Ukraine, underscoring the urgent need for accountability. The Commission is actively investigating these allegations, and, simultaneously, the few reported abuses by Ukrainian forces are also being promptly and thoroughly examined.
The Commission appreciated the cooperation of the Ukrainian Government and thanked the victims and witnesses for sharing their experiences. However, it noted with regret that all its communications to the Russian Federation remained unanswered.
In response to these findings, the US delegation to the commission emphasised the importance of the update in ensuring accountability for the thousands of victims. The UK’s Ambassador to the WTO and the UN, Simon Malley, further inquired about investigations into allegations of forcible transfers of children, particularly the reported usage of “summer camps” for systematic political indoctrination.
The severity and extent of these atrocities have led several experts to accuse Russia of inciting and committing genocide. Law professor Milena Sterio, noted in her piece for JURIST that the mass killings, shelling and rape inflicted by Russia on Ukraine point towards an intention to commit genocide.