Story perspectives

UN Reports Systematic Torture, Sexual Abuse of Ukrainian POWs

8/12/2026

Summary

Ukraine Reports Torture

On August 10, Ukraine officials told the UN Security Council that Russia systematically tortured Ukrainian prisoners of war.
Russia denied the allegation, with Deputy UN Representative Maria Zabolotskaya calling it disinformation.
UN monitoring recorded 129 Ukrainian POW executions, 48 deaths, and that over 95% reported torture.
Ukrainian military officer Khuan Alberto Levya Garsiya said more than half of detainees also reported sexual violence.

Summary

UK urges access

Sanita Pavlyuta-Deslandes said Latvia, United Kingdom and Ukraine initiated a UN meeting to highlight Convention breaches.
The United Kingdom co-convened the session and urged Council to secure detention-site access and enable prisoner exchanges.
Delegates said governments in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America voiced concern over Russia’s recruitment.
The UN Secretary-General’s 2024 report placed Russian forces on a ‘list of shame’ for sexual violence against Ukrainian POWs.

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Ukraine Reports Torture

On August 10, Ukraine officials told the UN Security Council that Russia systematically tortured Ukrainian prisoners of war.
Russia denied the allegation, with Deputy UN Representative Maria Zabolotskaya calling it disinformation.
UN monitoring recorded 129 Ukrainian POW executions, 48 deaths, and that over 95% reported torture.
Ukrainian military officer Khuan Alberto Levya Garsiya said more than half of detainees also reported sexual violence.

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