Reuters: Russian Forces in Ukraine Committing 'Torture and Sexual Violence'

Russian forces in Ukraine are accused of torturing individuals and committing sexual violence against a large number of prisoners held in temporary detention facilities in southern Ukraine, an area still occupied by Russia. According to Reuters, the Ukrainian Justice Team, in collaboration with the Ukrainian War Crimes Prosecutor, has analyzed 320 cases and witness reports so far in the Kherson region. The report from the Ukrainian Justice Team, supported by the UK, the European Union, and the United States, revealed that 43% of victims explicitly mentioned acts of torture, with sexual violence being a common tactic imposed by Russian jailers. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials are examining over 97,000 reports of war crimes and have filed charges against 220 suspects in domestic courts, with potentially more to be tried at the International Criminal Court. In response to this report, Russia has denied the allegations, claiming that the 'special military operation' in Ukraine aims to 'protect Russia and denazify' its neighbor. Experts state that the 'psychosocial consequences' of these 'crimes against the people' of Ukraine will be long-lasting. Most tortured prisoners include military personnel, police forces, volunteer fighters, civil activists, medical staff, and even teachers. According to Wayne Jordash, a British attorney leading this team, evidence obtained from liberated detention centers indicates a pattern of 'genocide.' Ukrainian survivors and victims reported Russian jailers' 'torture tactics' such as electric shocks, waterboarding, and beatings, but Reuters cannot independently verify these claims. Recently, the Ukrainian Attorney General told American lawmakers that Russian invading forces deliberately use sexual assault, torture, and kidnapping to instill fear among civilians in Ukraine. According to the Associated Press, Andriy Kostin, the Ukrainian Attorney General, stated that nearly 80,000 war crime cases have been registered in Ukraine since the war began in February 2022. Previously, Michael McCaul, a Republican representative from Texas and chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, stated that drawing lawmakers' and voters' attention to the brutality of Russian actions shows why U.S. support for Ukraine is justified and necessary. McCaul noted that Russia's operations in Ukraine constitute crimes against humanity and genocide, saying, 'No country can remain neutral in the face of such evil.' The United Nations: Russia has detained hundreds of civilians since the beginning of the Ukraine war. International Day in Support of Victims of Torture; Biden: Torture is an illegal and immoral act. Bombing of Kyiv coinciding with the visit of African leaders; Russia wants 'more war.' Ukrainian Attorney General: Russian crimes include 'waterboarding' and 'sexual assault.' At least 206 prisoners exchanged between Russia and Ukraine. International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant against Putin; charge: committing war crimes.