The New York Times has reported alarming accounts of sexual violence against Ukrainian women by Russian military forces during nearly four years of large-scale conflict. While hundreds of women have reported such incidents, activists believe the true number of victims is likely much higher.
In an article, The New York Times detailed interviews with more than a dozen women who recounted their traumatic experiences, revealing instances of sexual abuse, forced pregnancies, and captivity as sexual slaves by Russian soldiers. These reports were verified by examining legal and medical documents, as well as consulting with human rights advocates familiar with the cases.
Despite these testimonies, the Kremlin has dismissed many of the allegations as baseless but has not provided further comment when asked.
Human rights organizations emphasize that sexual violence in Ukraine remains a hidden issue. Many victims choose not to report their ordeals due to fear of stigmatization, reluctance to relive traumatic experiences, or living in areas where justice is inaccessible. However, some women have chosen to share their stories publicly, supported by mutual aid groups, to draw attention to the crimes used by Russia as a weapon of war.
Among those sharing their stories is Lesya, a 53-year-old economist from Kyiv Oblast, who was assaulted on March 7, 2022. Her husband was fatally injured during the attack. Svetlana, 31, reported being kidnapped and assaulted, resulting in a pregnancy she was unable to terminate. Tatyana Tipakova, a 53-year-old businesswoman, faced brutal treatment after participating in pro-Ukrainian protests in Berdyansk. Lawyer Maria, 50, from Kherson Oblast, described being held captive and abused by Russian soldiers.
These accounts, among others, highlight the severe human rights violations and the use of sexual violence as a method of warfare by Russian forces. The UN has also documented numerous cases of sexual violence committed by Russian soldiers against Ukrainians, as stated in the Secretary-General’s annual report.
According to credible information, these widespread violations predominantly affect Ukrainian prisoners held in multiple detention facilities across Ukraine and Russia, as noted in the report.
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