UN report documents widespread conflict-related sexual violence in Ukraine

Geneva, Switzerland. Russian forces committed widespread sexual violence against civilians and prisoners of war in Ukraine, while Ukrainian authorities were linked to a smaller number of violations, the UN human rights office said in a report released on Friday.

The report documented 1,004 verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence between February 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and July 2026.

Findings and attribution

The report attributed 89% of verified cases to the Russian side, including members of the armed forces, prison service and security agencies. It linked 11% of cases to Ukraine, including members of the Ukrainian armed forces.

In occupied areas of Ukraine and within Russia, Russian authorities carried out sexual violence against Ukrainian prisoners of war and detained civilians at all stages of captivity, including capture, transfer, interrogation and detention, the report said.

The documented violations included gang rape, rape, genital mutilation and electric shocks to men’s genitals using a Soviet-era field telephone known as a “tapik”.

Limits of the data

The report said its findings were not comprehensive because conflict-related sexual violence remains significantly under-reported.

It said Russia’s refusal to grant the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights access to occupied Ukrainian territory, prisoners of war and civilian detainees meant the figures likely underestimated the true scale of violations.

The findings were based on interviews with victims of sexual violence committed by both sides.

Responses

Russia’s permanent diplomatic mission in Geneva declined to comment on the report.

Ukraine’s foreign ministry welcomed its publication, saying it showed the scale of human rights violations perpetrated by Russia and measures taken by Ukraine to prevent such violence and compensate victims. The statement did not directly address findings of abuse by Ukrainian forces.