Russia’s extensive and coordinated use of enforced disappearances and torture against Ukrainians during its full-scale invasion constitutes crimes against humanity, a United Nations Commission stated on Wednesday.
A newly released report from the U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry details how large numbers of civilians were detained in Russian-occupied areas or forcibly deported to Russia, where many endured torture and sexual violence.
“These actions were carried out as part of a broad and systematic assault on the civilian population, executed in accordance with a state-directed policy,” the report, submitted to the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, concluded.
Russia’s diplomatic mission in Geneva dismissed the findings, refusing to comment on what it described as a “politicized and biased report.” Moscow has consistently denied accusations of torture or mistreatment of prisoners of war.
The report highlights Russia’s failure to disclose the whereabouts of missing individuals, leaving Ukrainian families in distressing uncertainty. Erik Møse, the Commission’s chair, told the Council that this lack of communication compounded the suffering of thousands. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, 50,000 people have been reported missing since the start of the war.
The report also exposes the extreme methods of torture used during interrogations, often conducted by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Investigative Committee. Additionally, new instances of rape and sexual violence against female detainees were uncovered. A prior 2024 report by the Commission had already documented the systematic torture of male Ukrainian prisoners of war.
“We are appalled by this report, which starkly reveals Russia’s cruel treatment of detainees,” Britain’s ambassador Simon Manley told the Council. Meanwhile, Eritrea criticized the findings, arguing that the report followed a recurring pattern of bias against Russia. Ukraine has called for the U.N. Human Rights Council to extend the Commission’s mandate, with a decision expected in April.