A new report released today by UN investigators sheds light on the ongoing war Russia has waged against Ukraine for over two years, revealing disturbing trends of civilian deaths, torture, sexual violence, and cultural theft.
The commission of inquiry established by the Human Rights Council uncovered “new evidence that the Russian authorities violated international human rights and humanitarian laws and committed war crimes.” The report is based on 16 recent visits to Ukraine and interviews with 422 women and 394 men to corroborate the findings.
The report expresses deep concern over the widespread and persistent violations documented, emphasizing their severe impact on victims and affected communities. These findings align with previous investigations conducted by the Commission and published last year.
The researchers reiterate their earlier conclusions, highlighting the Russian armed forces’ disregard for the suffering inflicted on civilians. They emphasize the abundance of attacks in Ukraine as evidence of this contempt.
Regarding torture, the report confirms that it is widespread and systematic, with the Russian authorities employing appalling treatment in detention centers across the Russian Federation, particularly against Ukrainian prisoners of war.
Moreover, the report exposes instances of rape and other sexual violence against women, describing the conditions as tantamount to torture. The investigators also uncovered evidence of illegal transportation of children to areas under Russian control.
For the first time, researchers delved into the fate of cultural objects and archives in occupied territories, focusing on the city of Kherson. They found that Russian authorities transferred cultural items from the Regional Art Museum and archives to Crimea, annexed by Moscow in 2014. The report highlights that more than 10,000 objects from the museum and 70% of documents from the State Archives have been removed, according to estimates by museum staff.
The report underscores the urgent need for accountability and justice for the victims of these heinous crimes, as well as for the preservation of cultural heritage in conflict-affected areas.
Source: ANA-MPA, Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
