UN Report Exposes Horrific Treatment of Ukrainian POWs by Russian Forces
KYIV — In a shocking revelation, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) released a new report on Tuesday, uncovering a disturbing increase in credible allegations of torture and executions of captured Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) by Russian forces.
After conducting interviews with 60 recently released Ukrainian POWs, the Monitoring Mission painted a harrowing picture of their experiences in Russian captivity.
Head of HRMMU, Danielle Bell, stated, “Almost every single one of the Ukrainian POWs we interviewed described how Russian servicepersons or officials tortured them during their captivity, using repeated beatings, electric shocks, threats of execution, prolonged stress positions, and mock execution. Over half of them were subjected to sexual violence.”
She added, “Most POWs also recounted the anguish of not being allowed to communicate with their families and being deprived of adequate food and medical attention.”
The report documented “credible allegations” of executions of at least 32 Ukrainian POWs, in 12 separate incidents between December and February. HRMMU has independently verified three of these incidents.
Additionally, HRMMU noted findings from interviews with 44 Russian POWs in Ukrainian captivity, revealing credible accounts of torture and ill-treatment while in transit after being removed from the battlefield.
Violations in Russian-occupied territory
Aside from the findings on POWs, the report also highlighted continued violence against civilians in Ukrainian territory occupied by Russia, including killings, arbitrary detention, and restrictions on freedom of expression.
The report noted that civilian casualties remained high during the December 2023-February 2024 period, with conflict-related violence leading to the deaths of 429 civilians and injuring 1,374.
A significant intensification of missile and aerial munitions, along with attacks by Russia in late December and January, resulted in a spike in civilian casualties in areas far from the frontline. Meanwhile, attacks continued in the south and east of the country, impacting civilians and critical infrastructure.
Authorities reported several people injured in Odesa and Kharkiv, with hundreds of thousands of people left without power, mainly in Odesa and Kharkiv Regions. Restoring power to its full capacity is expected to take months, while humanitarian organizations are on the ground providing emergency aid to those affected. — UN News
