A United Nations annual report has, for the first time, placed Russian armed and security forces on its “blacklist” for conflict-related sexual violence in Ukraine.
According to the report, Russian authorities are accused of committing sexual violence against prisoners of war and detained civilians during the war in Ukraine. The document states that the UN has verified 310 cases of sexual violence in Russia and in Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia.
It notes that the vast majority of victims were men, and that the incidents involved torture, abuse, and other forms of inhumane treatment during detention.
Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia rejected the allegations, calling them “unfounded lies” and part of efforts to portray Russia as a “villain.” He also stated that Moscow is preparing a report on the treatment of Russian prisoners of war by Ukraine.
The UN report further highlights that Russian authorities continue to deny access to UN human rights investigators, making full documentation of cases more difficult.
The UN blacklist includes both state and non-state actors suspected of committing or being responsible for conflict-related sexual violence worldwide.
