Torture to death and rape of girls and grandmothers: UN releases report on Russian crimes in Ukraine
Independent experts of the United Nations have confirmed that the Russian occupiers used torture in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine that was so brutal that it led to the death of some victims.
This was stated by the chairman of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Violations in Ukraine, Erik Møse. The oral report was presented at the UN Human Rights Council.
It states that the commission continues to find numerous evidences of war crimes committed by Russian military personnel in Ukraine, including illegal attacks with the use of explosive weapons, torture, sexual and gender-based violence, and attacks on energy facilities.
– “The Commission is concerned about new evidence of war crimes committed by the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine,” Mr. Møse said.
“The Commission conducted investigations in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. The evidence gathered shows that the use of torture by Russian soldiers was “widespread and systematic”.
The main victims of torture were people accused by the occupiers of being informants of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
– In some cases, torture was used with such cruelty that it led to the death of the victims,” Mr. Møse emphasized.
“Sometimes the invaders used electric shocks. The UN experts cited the testimonies of the victims.
– One victim who was tortured by electric shock said: – “Every time I answered that I did not know something or did not remember something, I was electrocuted… I do not know how long it lasted. It seemed like an eternity to me,” the UN said.
In its report, the commission said that in the Kherson region, “Russian soldiers raped and sexually assaulted women aged 19 to 83.” Such actions were often accompanied by “threats or other violations.”
– Often, members of the same family were kept in the next room, so they were forced to listen to the violence take place,” said Møse.
The UN Commission continues to investigate the situation “related to the alleged transfer of unaccompanied minors to Russia by the Russian authorities”. The UN representatives expressed regret “at the lack of clarity and transparency regarding information on the full number, circumstances and categories of children taken”.
In addition, the commission documented attacks by Russian troops on residential buildings, a medical facility, a railway station, a restaurant, shops and commercial warehouses, resulting in deaths. The occupiers used explosive weapons.
Members of the UN commission expressed concern over the allegations of genocide by Russian troops. Experts continue their investigation into this issue.
– For example, some statements made by Russian state and other media may constitute the crime of incitement to genocide,” the UN clarified.
The new report of the UN commission is a continuation of previous reports. In early September, UN officials stated that they had not found sufficient evidence that genocide was taking place in Ukraine.
