21/09/2026
According to a new UN report, nearly 900 cases of conflict-related sexual violence committed by Russian forces have been documented since the start of the full-scale invasion, as of July 31, 2026.
The victims include 16 children, some as young as four years old.
The UN report stresses that Russia has failed to take meaningful steps to prevent, investigate or prosecute sexual violence committed by its forces. This has created a climate of impunity for these crimes.
The documented cases are only those that have been reported and verified. The actual scale of sexual violence may be much higher. Many victims do not report what happened to them because of fear, stigma, and trauma.
The UN has therefore included Russia’s armed forces and security forces on the Secretary-General’s “list of shame” for parties credibly suspected of systematic conflict-related sexual violence.
At the same time, the UN report recognises steps taken by Ukraine to prevent sexual violence and support survivors and calls on Russia to immediately and unconditionally stop its use of force against Ukraine and withdraw its forces from Ukrainian territory.
Those responsible for these crimes must be identified and brought to justice.