Russia subjecting Ukrainian civilians to 'sexual torture': UN experts

Smoke emanating over buildings following a Russian air attack, in Mukachevo, Zakarpattia region, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Ukraine overnight, the Ukrainian air force said on August 21, 2025. [AFP]

Russia is using "sexual torture" against civilians as part of a "deliberate and systematic policy" of intimidation in areas of Ukraine seized in Moscow's invasion, United Nations experts said Thursday.

The experts, who are mandated by the Human Rights Council but do not speak on behalf of the UN, said they had sent Russia a dossier detailing 10 cases of Ukrainian civilians tortured while under Russian occupation.