Inhuman treatment: UN reports mass violence against Ukrainian prisoners

Russian authorities systematically apply physical violence to Ukrainian prisoners, including torture and sexual violence. 

This was stated by Pablo de Greiff, a member of the UN’s independent international commission investigating Russian war crimes in Ukraine, as reported by "Interfax-Ukraine".

Mass torture in Olenivka

As de Greiff emphasized, after the explosion that had occurred in July 2022 at the notorious Olenivka prison colony, which resulted in the deaths of dozens of Ukrainian soldiers, the Russian authorities failed to provide necessary medical assistance to the severely wounded soldiers.

“The main help was provided by fellow prisoners, while the colony’s leadership stood by and watched as Ukrainian prisoners of war died from their severe injuries,” he said at a UN Security Council meeting.

The UN noted that in some cases, medical personnel at detention facilities were even involved in negligent or abusive actions towards Ukrainians held in Russia, violating ethical standards.

“The denial of medical assistance reflects the continued disregard by Russian authorities for the dignity and rights of detainees. With this behavior, Russian authorities also violated norms of international humanitarian law regarding the health and inviolability of prisoners,” de Greiff said.

Violations of Prisoner rights in Russia

It is known that the Russians use:

• Torture and beatings;

• Sexual violence (rape and attempted rape);

• Attacks on genitalia using beatings and electric shocks, including in showers when prisoners are naked and wet;

• Electric shocks with wires and burns to the genital area;

• Castration and sexual mutilation.

According to the UN, former Ukrainian prisoners have described severe physical and psychological consequences they endured after repeated torture, often with long-term complications, including disability.

Many still suffer from pain and injuries, citing broken bones and teeth, bleeding, swelling, infections or gangrene of body parts, breathing difficulties, problems with walking and sleeping, poor vision, and damage to various organs. Some victims have undergone or are still undergoing complex medical surgeries.

“One former detainee told the Commission: "No living creature deserves to be treated the way Ukrainians are treated in their places of detention,” de Greiff concluded.

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