Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
September 23, 2025 International law
Today, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights released a report detailing the plight of thousands of civilians detained since Russia launched its full-scale military attack on Ukraine in 2022.
According to the report, Russian authorities systematically and widely use torture and ill-treatment, including sexual violence, against Ukrainian civilians detained in the occupied territories.
Violence and threats
Most of the 215 released civilians interviewed by the Office since June 2023 have provided consistent and detailed accounts of their detention conditions. They described brutal beatings, the use of electric shocks, mock executions, prolonged restraints in stress positions, death threats and violence against themselves or their loved ones, as well as instances of sexual violence. Interviewees described poor conditions, including insufficient food and inadequate medical care.
Violations of international law
The report notes that the Russian Federation applies its criminal law in the occupied territories, ignoring international humanitarian law, which requires respect for the laws of the occupied territory whenever possible. Frequent disregard for legal and procedural guarantees has led to widespread arbitrary detentions and raised serious concerns about enforced disappearances, the report's authors write. Families of those detained, according to their data, often have little or no information about the fate of their loved ones.
Atmosphere of fear
“The combined impact of these measures, coupled with the lack of accountability, has effectively deprived many Ukrainian civilians of legal protection while in detention and created an oppressive atmosphere and climate of fear in the occupied territories of Ukraine,” the report says.
According to Ukrainian authorities, as noted in the report, in May 2025, approximately 1,800 Ukrainian civilians continued to be held by the Russian Federation in the occupied territories for reasons related to the armed conflict, but the real figure is likely significantly higher.
"Our report reveals human rights violations against civilian detainees. People were arbitrarily seized from the streets of occupied territories, charged under constantly evolving legal provisions, and held for days, weeks, months, and even years, often with limited contact with their families," said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.
"It is vital that the human rights of civilian detainees, who have suffered gravely as a result of this terrible conflict, be prioritised in any peace negotiations," he stressed.
Detentions in Ukrainian-controlled territories
The report notes that in Ukrainian-controlled territory, mostly Ukrainian citizens are being detained on charges related to national security, including treason and sabotage.
Many criminal cases related to the conflict involve allegations of collaboration with the Russian occupation authorities. Individuals have been prosecuted for carrying out emergency rescue and construction work, providing humanitarian aid, and cleaning up trash during the occupation—activities that the occupation authorities are legally entitled to demand.
The rise in conflict-related detentions—approximately 2,258 people held in official pretrial detention facilities and correctional facilities in Ukraine as of July 21, 2025, along with 20,000 open criminal cases—has placed a significant strain on the Ukrainian justice system. The authorities are taking steps to strengthen procedural guarantees and improve detention conditions. However, the UN Office continues to document cases of torture and ill-treatment of detainees, and accountability for these violations remains limited.
Türk reiterated that civilians must always be treated humanely, and their detention can only be carried out on grounds provided for by international law. They must be released as soon as such grounds cease to exist.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
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