Executions, torture, rape and much more: UN commission reveals number of Russian war crimes in Ukraine

The Commission released its 17-page report on Oct.18.

In particular, it says that the Commission found that Russian forces had indiscriminately shelled areas they were trying to capture, used explosive weapons and opened fire on civilians trying to flee.

There were also recorded cases of executions, illegal imprisonment, torture, ill-treatment, rape and other types of sexual violence in areas occupied by the Russian army.

"People were detained, illegally deported to Russia, and many people are still considered missing. Sexual violence affects victims of all ages. Family members, in particular children, were sometimes forced to witness crimes," the report says.

The Commission drew conclusions based on the investigation of events in the Kyiv, Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Sumy regions, which had been conducted in late February and March 2022.

It was also noted there that the Commission visited 27 cities and towns and interviewed 191 victims and witnesses. Its investigators examined the places of destruction, graves, places of imprisonment and torture, as well as the remains of weapons, got acquainted with a large number of documents and reports.

The Commission also reported on examples of how "both sides in the armed conflict, albeit in different ways, failed to protect the civilian population or civilian objects, because they placed military objects and forces in or near densely populated areas."

The report also noted that the Russian Armed Forces were responsible for the vast majority of violations found, including war crimes.

"Ukrainian forces have also committed violations of international humanitarian law in some cases, in particular two incidents that qualify as war crimes," the report says, and mentions cases of shooting, wounding and torture of people who left the battle.

The Commission recommends strengthening the coordination of international efforts to bring perpetrators to justice and prevent harm to victims and witnesses.

• The occupying Russian forces injured 811 children in Ukraine during the full-scale war.