UN report: Ukrainians were tortured to death by Russia Libya: “I have worked in many conflict areas, but I have never experienced anything like this”

It has been known for some time that Russian invaders sometimes tortured prisoners in the war in Ukraine. As a UN report shows, the Russian soldiers are acting even more brutally than previously known. Erik Möse, head of the UN Human Rights Council’s Commission to Investigate War Crimes in Ukraine, said in Geneva on Monday:

Möse bases his findings on the findings of his committee, which traveled to occupied territories in Ukraine, such as Kherson and Zaporizhia, in August.

The UN cannot say how often such deaths occur. This is not possible due to limited access on site, according to Commissioner Pablo de Greiff. However, it is believed that “quite a large number” are in various places “near and far from the front”.

Torture “frequent and systematic”

Möse also reports that his team has found evidence that the Russian invaders use torture “frequently and systematically” in the areas they control. This would particularly affect people accused of being Ukrainian informants.

It is also said that rapes happen again and again. Family members of the victims are often forced to stay nearby and listen to the rapes.

The UN also noted “some” violations by Ukraine, Möse said. These are indiscriminate attacks and assaults on prisoners. Kiev had said in the past that it would investigate such reports and take legal action if necessary.

Meanwhile, Russia repeatedly denies the allegations of torture. The Kremlin has not yet responded to Möse’s report. The Russian Ministry of Defense left a UN request unanswered.

The UN-Ukraine Commission has been in existence since March 2022. Her job is to investigate abuses in the war zone. For this purpose, those responsible regularly travel to Ukraine and have so far held hundreds of conversations with people on the ground. (dab)