Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
December 9, 2025 Human rights
Ukraine's civilian population faces near-daily attacks and deteriorating access to basic services, according to a report released today by the UN Human Rights Office. The document documents alarming trends, including rising civilian casualties, ongoing attacks on Ukraine's energy system, and the systematic torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war.
According to the Human Rights Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (HRMMU), July saw the highest number of civilian deaths and injuries in Ukraine since April 2022. A massive drone and missile strike on November 19 killed at least 36 civilians in Ternopil, marking the deadliest attack in western Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began.
Residents of regions near the front lines, especially the elderly and people with disabilities, have faced a sharp deterioration in living conditions, the report states. Many hospitals and clinics have been destroyed or forced to close, leaving the population without access to basic medical care.
According to the Mission, in October and November 2025, the Russian Federation carried out eight large-scale, coordinated missile and drone attacks on Ukraine's power grid. These strikes caused power outages in many regions, with power outages lasting up to 18 hours a day. In some areas, people were left without water and heat for many hours or even days.
The plight of prisoners of war
From May to August 2025, Ukraine and Russia conducted the largest prisoner of war exchanges since 2022, but the HRMMU did not record any improvement in the situation of those held in captivity.
"Of the 187 Ukrainian prisoners of war recently released by the Russian Federation, 185 reported severe beatings, torture by forced positions, electric shocks, suffocation, and dog attacks. One hundred forty-one (75 percent) reported being subjected to sexual violence. Those interviewed also described extremely harsh conditions, limited access to medical care, and violence during their capture, transfer, arrival at new facilities, and throughout their internment," said UN Mission Head Danielle Bell.
The HRMMU also interviewed 137 prisoners of war held by Ukraine, including 10 third-country nationals. More than half of them, including 37 prisoners of war captured this year, reported torture and ill-treatment during interrogation or transfer before their arrival at official internment facilities. The mission enjoyed unimpeded access to these facilities and continues to note that conditions of detention there generally comply with international standards.
The report also documented an increase in the number of extrajudicial executions of prisoners of war. At least four reports of the killing of 10 Ukrainian servicemen after their capture by Russian forces were deemed credible. Furthermore, four executions of Russian prisoners of war by Ukrainian forces were documented, and credible information was received regarding three additional incidents, which are currently being verified.
Restrictions on rights and freedoms
The mission reports that violations of international law continue in the territories of Ukraine occupied by the Russian Federation. The report describes increasing restrictions on freedom of movement, expression, religion, and access to independent information. Civilians faced increasing pressure to accept Russian citizenship, and everyday life became virtually impossible without a Russian passport. The report describes instances of arbitrary arrests, criminal prosecution for criticism of the "special military operation," the use of coerced confessions, and the retroactive application of criminal laws.
Property rights have also been significantly damaged, the report states. Occupation authorities continued to implement legislation allowing them to seize residential properties deemed "abandoned" by Ukrainians. As of November 2025, at least 5,557 residential units in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions had been registered and transferred to municipal ownership under this scheme. Ukrainians forced to leave the occupied territories reported being unable to participate in legal proceedings to confirm their status and retain their property.
Deteriorating access to water was also reported in some areas of the occupied Donetsk region. In some settlements, water was supplied only once every few days; many complained of poor quality and high prices in stores.
The report highlights the efforts of the Ukrainian authorities and humanitarian organizations to support civilians affected by the fighting, including large-scale evacuations, the opening of transit centers, and the provision of medical, psychosocial, and legal assistance – despite extremely difficult and increasingly dangerous conditions.
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.