UN Says Russia Continues to Torture, Execute Ukrainian POWs

In a report on the human rights situation in Ukraine in December, January and February, HRMMU detailed findings from interviews with 60 recently released Ukrainian POWs.

“Almost every single one of the Ukrainian POWs we interviewed described how Russian servicepersons or officials tortured them during their captivity, using repeated beatings, electric shocks, threats of execution, prolonged stress positions and mock execution. Over half of them were subjected to sexual violence,” said Danielle Bell who heads HRMMU. “Most POWs also recounted the anguish of not being allowed to communicate with their families, and being deprived of adequate food and medical attention.”

The findings about the treatment and conditions in Russian captivity confirm previously established patterns of torture and ill-treatment, deaths in custody, incommunicado detention, enforced disappearances, and dire conditions of detention. Accounts from recently captured and released Ukrainian POWs show that such violations continue.

HRMMU also recorded credible allegations of the execution of at least 32 Ukrainian POWs in 12 separate incidents between December 2023 to February 2024, significantly more than in any previous period. HRMMU has independently verified three of the incidents.

In the report, HRMMU also shared findings from interviews with 44 Russian POWs in Ukrainian captivity, saying that while the POWs did make any allegations of torture at established internment facilities, several provided credible accounts of torture and ill-treatment in transit places after their evacuation from the battlefield.

In addition to the findings on POWs, the three-month report detailed continued violence against civilians in Ukrainian territory occupied by the Russian Federation, citing, among other violations, killings of civilians, arbitrary detention, and restrictions on freedom of expression.  

In government-controlled territory, the report highlighted the Ukrainian government’s continued prosecution and conviction of individuals for activities conducted under Russian occupation that can be lawfully compelled by the occupying Power. It also cited incidents of violence against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Civilian casualties remained high during the three-month period, with conflict-related violence killing 429 civilians and injuring 1,374. A significant intensification of missile and loitering munitions attacks by the Russian Federation in late December and January caused a spike in civilian casualties in areas far from the frontline, while the overall civilian casualty numbers remained comparable to the previous period.