{"id":2152757,"date":"2026-09-19T12:33:01","date_gmt":"2026-09-19T09:33:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2152757"},"modified":"2026-09-19T12:33:01","modified_gmt":"2026-09-19T09:33:01","slug":"un-condemns-shocking-pattern-of-sexual-violence-by-russian-troops-in-ukraine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2152757","title":{"rendered":"UN condemns &#8216;shocking pattern&#8217; of sexual violence by Russian troops in Ukraine"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/99\/08\/1200x675_cmsv2_f6b12f00-3670-5178-9efa-600d76804edf-9919908.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2927039-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2927039\" data-cid=\"9919929\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2927039-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/99\/29\/189x106_cmsv2_7ead4543-9f5b-5f6f-8905-879bbc5a2385-9919929.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Saudi airport officials surround a Qatar Airways plane at King Khalid Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Saudi Arabia<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Flames and smoke spotted at Riyadh&#8217;s King Khalid airport\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926852-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2926852\" data-cid=\"9919864\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926852-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/98\/64\/189x106_cmsv2_5904847b-74e7-58d8-a919-1b70be9e63d1-9919864.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"social media \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Tehran split between marathon defiance and regime military parade\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927034-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2927034\" data-cid=\"9919937\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2927034-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/99\/24\/189x106_cmsv2_73e1bbe2-9ff4-5535-a88c-b45097dcdad4-9919924.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"People in traditional costume during the parade to mark the 191st edition of Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, on Saturday, 19 September 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The keg is tapped: Munich springs to life as Oktoberfest returns\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927010-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2927010\" data-cid=\"9919877\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2927010-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/03\/58\/189x106_cmsv2_5bbf9449-6f12-587f-a176-fb7c4efe67ef-9910358.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Migrants return to the beaches after failing to secure places at the Puerto de Ceuta reception centre, file photo.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Thousands of migrants return to beaches in Ceuta as port camp fills up\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927039-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2927039\" data-cid=\"9919929\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2927039-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/99\/29\/189x106_cmsv2_7ead4543-9f5b-5f6f-8905-879bbc5a2385-9919929.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Saudi airport officials surround a Qatar Airways plane at King Khalid Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Saudi Arabia<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Flames and smoke spotted at Riyadh&#8217;s King Khalid airport\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926852-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2926852\" data-cid=\"9919864\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926852-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/98\/64\/189x106_cmsv2_5904847b-74e7-58d8-a919-1b70be9e63d1-9919864.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"social media \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Tehran split between marathon defiance and regime military parade\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927034-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2927034\" data-cid=\"9919937\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2927034-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/99\/24\/189x106_cmsv2_73e1bbe2-9ff4-5535-a88c-b45097dcdad4-9919924.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"People in traditional costume during the parade to mark the 191st edition of Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, on Saturday, 19 September 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The keg is tapped: Munich springs to life as Oktoberfest returns\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927010-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2927010\" data-cid=\"9919877\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2927010-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/03\/58\/189x106_cmsv2_5bbf9449-6f12-587f-a176-fb7c4efe67ef-9910358.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Migrants return to the beaches after failing to secure places at the Puerto de Ceuta reception centre, file photo.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Thousands of migrants return to beaches in Ceuta as port camp fills up\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          News<\/p>\n<p>                          World<\/p>\n<p>                          Ukraine<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            UN condemns &#8216;shocking pattern&#8217; of sexual violence by Russian troops in Ukraine<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/99\/08\/1536x864_cmsv2_f6b12f00-3670-5178-9efa-600d76804edf-9919908.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Basement of the police station used by Russian forces to detain and torture Ukrainians in the liberated city of Izium, Ukraine\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Basement of the police station used by Russian forces to detain and torture Ukrainians in the liberated city of Izium, Ukraine<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo\/Evgeniy Maloletka<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\/Evgeniy Maloletka\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspIrina Sheludkova\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1789821181\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-09-19 14:33:01 +02:00\">19\/09\/2026 &#8211; 14:33 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay js-c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-share-comment-popup\" class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup js-c-article-share-comment-popup\">\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__header u-display-flex\"><span>Share<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-close.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"Close Button\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-share-comment-close\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content u-display-flex\">\n<div id=\"share-comment-popup-content-container\" class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__container u-display-flex\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-facebook.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"facebook\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Facebook<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-facebook.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"facebook\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-twitter.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"twitter\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Twitter<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-twitter.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"twitter\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-flipboard.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"flipboard\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Flipboard<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-flipboard.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"flipboard\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-send.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"send\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Send<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-send.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"send\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-reddit.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"reddit\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Reddit<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-reddit.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"reddit\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-linkedin.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"linkedin\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Linkedin<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-linkedin.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"linkedin\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-messenger.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"messenger\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Messenger<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-messenger.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"messenger\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-telegram.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"telegram\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Telegram<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-telegram.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"telegram\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"vk\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>VK<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"vk\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"bluesky\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Russia was added in May to the UN Secretary-General&#8217;s list of countries credibly suspected of committing sexual violence in conflict \u2014 codified into international law decades ago as war crimes and crimes against humanity.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>More than 1,000 cases of sexual violence recorded since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 involve victims as young as 4 and as old as 82 in a &#8220;shocking pattern of torture, intimidation and coercion,&#8221; according to the report published on Friday by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;I am deeply alarmed by the prevalence of these abhorrent acts documented in our report, and fear that they are almost certainly continuing amid the unceasing violence we are witnessing every day in Ukraine,&#8221; said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker T\u00fcrk.<\/p>\n<p>Both crimes were committed by Russian troops, who account for 89% of perpetrators in the 1,004 cases included in the report.<\/p>\n<p>While the majority of documented victims are men, particularly those held in places of detention, women and children have been most severely affected in occupied Ukrainian territory.<\/p>\n<p>Crimes against Ukrainian prisoners of war and detained medical workers include gang rape, genital mutilation and other acts of sexual humiliation. <\/p>\n<p>The most common single method recorded was the use of a Soviet-era military field telephone known as a &#8220;tapik&#8221; to administer electric shocks to the genitals: 155 cases, or 27% of the total, involved this form of abuse at least once, the report says.<\/p>\n<p>Individual survivor testimonies documented in the report include Ukrainian prisoners of war sexually assaulted with objects such as batons, cell door keys or shovel handles.<\/p>\n<p>A woman in Zaporizhzhia was raped several times a week for a month by a Russian soldier who promised better treatment for her detained husband. A woman in Kherson was assaulted nightly and repeatedly threatened with gang rape. <\/p>\n<p>In the Kyiv region, two Russian soldiers broke into a family home in 2022, shot and killed a woman&#8217;s husband, then gang-raped her, threatening to shoot her in front of her four-year-old son if she resisted.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Sexual violence is a grave feature of the full-scale armed attack against Ukraine. It must stop immediately, irrespective of the perpetrators,&#8221; T\u00fcrk said. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Given the high prevalence of cases attributed to its forces, however, the Russian Federation in particular must take concrete and discernible steps to protect civilians and prisoners of war from all forms of torture, including sexual violence.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The 20-page report covers the period from 24 February 2022 to the end of July 2026 and draws on confidential interviews with hundreds of victims, along with court documents and official records.<\/p>\n<p>Of the 11% of cases attributed to Ukrainian forces, nearly half involved threats of sexual violence against Russian prisoners of war and prisoners of war from third countries. The remainder included forced nudity, electric shocks and beatings to the genitals, sexually degrading treatment and two cases each of sexual assault and attempted rape.<\/p>\n<h2>Conventions disregarded, withdrawn from<\/h2>\n<p>Russia was added to the UN Secretary-General&#8217;s list of parties credibly suspected of committing sexual violence in conflict in May of this year \u2014 a list that includes Sudan, Somalia and Haiti as repeat offenders. The Kremlin rejected the findings as politically motivated.<\/p>\n<p>The UN Human Rights Council&#8217;s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has separately documented widespread use of torture by Russian authorities against Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war in occupied territory and inside Russia. <\/p>\n<p>Russia formally withdrew from the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture in September 2025 following its expulsion from the Council of Europe, ending visits by European monitors to Russian detention facilities. <\/p>\n<p>Russia remains a formal party to the UN Convention Against Torture and prohibits torture under its constitution and criminal code.<\/p>\n<p>The Ukrainian foreign ministry welcomed the report, saying it had &#8220;once again demonstrated the scale of systematic human rights violations committed by the Russian Federation.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\" id=\"abe-article-related-1\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Sexual violence in the Ukraine war: Seven women break their silence at the Berlinale <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">&#8216;Point of no return&#8217;: 36 countries join special tribunal to prosecute Vladimir Putin<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Rape and sexual violence were codified as war crimes and crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which entered into force in 2002. <\/p>\n<p>The use of systematic rape as a weapon of war was first formally prosecuted as a crime against humanity and an act of genocide by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Sexual violence in the Ukraine war: Seven women break their silence at the Berlinale <\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  UN condemns &#8216;shocking pattern&#8217; of sexual violence by Russian troops in Ukraine<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Russian drones devastate shopping mall in Zaporizhzhia city<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Russia&#8217;s invasion of Ukraine<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  World News<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  UN<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Crime<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Sexual violence<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tp-vuukle\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__header\"><span class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__title\">Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2927039-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927039\" data-cid=\"9919929\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2927039-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/99\/29\/320x180_cmsv2_7ead4543-9f5b-5f6f-8905-879bbc5a2385-9919929.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Saudi airport officials surround a Qatar Airways plane at King Khalid Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Flames and smoke spotted at Riyadh&#8217;s King Khalid airport<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2927005-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927005\" data-cid=\"9919846\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2927005-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/98\/46\/320x180_cmsv2_9e5a74fb-0acf-5517-8095-4c38b1799b2e-9919846.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"People look at a burning office building following a Russian drone attack in central Odesa, Ukraine, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russian attacks on Ukraine kill at least 11 and injure dozens<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2926641-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926641\" data-cid=\"9918787\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926641-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/80\/80\/320x180_cmsv2_c94bb0e6-4683-5218-aae9-1100b6b50fc3-9918080.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Mark Carney greets Emmanuel Macron at the official welcome for the G7 summit on 16 June 2025 in Kananaskis, Canada.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Macron heading to Saint Pierre and Miquelon to meet with Carney<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2926804-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926804\" data-cid=\"9918869\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926804-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/88\/69\/320x180_cmsv2_2077ae21-49e6-5464-8395-5dc03a6c6f44-9918869.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"File - A car drives into a gas station as gasoline prices are displayed in Paris, Monday, 9 March 2026. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU fuel prices hit records; ECB experts say diesel margins yet to peak<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2927034-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927034\" data-cid=\"9919937\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2927034-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/99\/24\/320x180_cmsv2_73e1bbe2-9ff4-5535-a88c-b45097dcdad4-9919924.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"People in traditional costume during the parade to mark the 191st edition of Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, on Saturday, 19 September 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The keg is tapped: Munich springs to life as Oktoberfest returns<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2926767-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926767\" data-cid=\"9918723\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russia seizes control over assets of Nestle, French firms<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2925664-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925664\" data-cid=\"9913223\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    For how many years do Europeans receive a pension?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2926053-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926053\" data-cid=\"9918900\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russians leave before election ends, fearing mobilisation to follow<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2926733-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926733\" data-cid=\"9918469\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Canberra responds to Metsola\u2019s EU &#8216;associate membership&#8217; suggestion<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2926724-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926724\" data-cid=\"9918741\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Portugal braces for rising temperatures and possible heatwave<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927039-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927039\" data-cid=\"9919929\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2927039-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/99\/29\/320x180_cmsv2_7ead4543-9f5b-5f6f-8905-879bbc5a2385-9919929.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Saudi airport officials surround a Qatar Airways plane at King Khalid Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Flames and smoke spotted at Riyadh&#8217;s King Khalid airport<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927005-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927005\" data-cid=\"9919846\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2927005-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/98\/46\/320x180_cmsv2_9e5a74fb-0acf-5517-8095-4c38b1799b2e-9919846.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"People look at a burning office building following a Russian drone attack in central Odesa, Ukraine, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russian attacks on Ukraine kill at least 11 and injure dozens<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926641-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926641\" data-cid=\"9918787\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926641-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/80\/80\/320x180_cmsv2_c94bb0e6-4683-5218-aae9-1100b6b50fc3-9918080.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Mark Carney greets Emmanuel Macron at the official welcome for the G7 summit on 16 June 2025 in Kananaskis, Canada.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Macron heading to Saint Pierre and Miquelon to meet with Carney<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926804-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926804\" data-cid=\"9918869\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926804-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/88\/69\/320x180_cmsv2_2077ae21-49e6-5464-8395-5dc03a6c6f44-9918869.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"File - A car drives into a gas station as gasoline prices are displayed in Paris, Monday, 9 March 2026. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU fuel prices hit records; ECB experts say diesel margins yet to peak<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927034-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927034\" data-cid=\"9919937\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2927034-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/99\/24\/320x180_cmsv2_73e1bbe2-9ff4-5535-a88c-b45097dcdad4-9919924.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"People in traditional costume during the parade to mark the 191st edition of Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, on Saturday, 19 September 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The keg is tapped: Munich springs to life as Oktoberfest returns<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926767-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926767\" data-cid=\"9918723\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russia seizes control over assets of Nestle, French firms<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925664-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925664\" data-cid=\"9913223\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    For how many years do Europeans receive a pension?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926053-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926053\" data-cid=\"9918900\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russians leave before election ends, fearing mobilisation to follow<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926733-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926733\" data-cid=\"9918469\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Canberra responds to Metsola\u2019s EU &#8216;associate membership&#8217; suggestion<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926724-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926724\" data-cid=\"9918741\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Portugal braces for rising temperatures and possible heatwave<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">More than 1,000 cases of sexual violence recorded since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 involve victims as young as 4 and as old as 82 in a &#8220;shocking pattern of torture, intimidation and coercion,&#8221; according to the report published on Friday by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.&#8221;I am deeply alarmed by the prevalence of these abhorrent acts documented in our report, and fear that they are almost certainly continuing amid the unceasing violence we are witnessing every day in Ukraine,&#8221; said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker T\u00fcrk.Both crimes were committed by Russian troops, who account for 89% of perpetrators in the 1,004 cases included in the report.While the majority of documented victims are men, particularly those held in places of detention, women and children have been most severely affected in occupied Ukrainian territory.Crimes against Ukrainian prisoners of war and detained medical workers include gang rape, genital mutilation and other acts of sexual humiliation.The most common single method recorded was the use of a Soviet-era military field telephone known as a &#8220;tapik&#8221; to administer electric shocks to the genitals: 155 cases, or 27% of the total, involved this form of abuse at least once, the report says.Individual survivor testimonies documented in the report include Ukrainian prisoners of war sexually assaulted with objects such as batons, cell door keys or shovel handles.A woman in Zaporizhzhia was raped several times a week for a month by a Russian soldier who promised better treatment for her detained husband. A woman in Kherson was assaulted nightly and repeatedly threatened with gang rape.In the Kyiv region, two Russian soldiers broke into a family home in 2022, shot and killed a woman&#8217;s husband, then gang-raped her, threatening to shoot her in front of her four-year-old son if she resisted.&#8221;Sexual violence is a grave feature of the full-scale armed attack against Ukraine. It must stop immediately, irrespective of the perpetrators,&#8221; T\u00fcrk said.&#8221;Given the high prevalence of cases attributed to its forces, however, the Russian Federation in particular must take concrete and discernible steps to protect civilians and prisoners of war from all forms of torture, including sexual violence.&#8221;The 20-page report covers the period from 24 February 2022 to the end of July 2026 and draws on confidential interviews with hundreds of victims, along with court documents and official records.Of the 11% of cases attributed to Ukrainian forces, nearly half involved threats of sexual violence against Russian prisoners of war and prisoners of war from third countries. The remainder included forced nudity, electric shocks and beatings to the genitals, sexually degrading treatment and two cases each of sexual assault and attempted rape.Conventions disregarded, withdrawn fromRussia was added to the UN Secretary-General&#8217;s list of parties credibly suspected of committing sexual violence in conflict in May of this year \u2014 a list that includes Sudan, Somalia and Haiti as repeat offenders. The Kremlin rejected the findings as politically motivated.The UN Human Rights Council&#8217;s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has separately documented widespread use of torture by Russian authorities against Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war in occupied territory and inside Russia.Russia formally withdrew from the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture in September 2025 following its expulsion from the Council of Europe, ending visits by European monitors to Russian detention facilities.Russia remains a formal party to the UN Convention Against Torture and prohibits torture under its constitution and criminal code.The Ukrainian foreign ministry welcomed the report, saying it had &#8220;once again demonstrated the scale of systematic human rights violations committed by the Russian Federation.&#8221;Rape and sexual violence were codified as war crimes and crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which entered into force in 2002.The use of systematic rape as a weapon of war was first formally prosecuted as a crime against humanity and an act of genocide by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/09\/19\/un-condemns-shocking-pattern-of-sexual-violence-by-russian-troops-in-ukraine&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/99\/08\/1200x675_cmsv2_f6b12f00-3670-5178-9efa-600d76804edf-9919908.jpg&#8221;] Saudi Arabia Flames and smoke spotted at Riyadh&#8217;s King Khalid airport Iran Tehran split between marathon defiance and regime military parade Europe News The keg is tapped: Munich springs to life as Oktoberfest returns Europe News Thousands of migrants return to beaches in Ceuta as port camp fills up Saudi Arabia Flames [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2152757","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2152757","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2152757"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2152757\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2152757"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2152757"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2152757"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}