UN records 150 cases of sexual violence committed by Russian soldiers in Ukraine since February 24

This is reported by Ukrinform with reference to the video message of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflicts, Pramila Patten.

"Since February 24, the UN has received more than 150 accusations of sexual violence committed against women, children and men. These are rapes at gunpoint in the presence of family members as a result of the attack on Ukraine by Russian troops", it is noted.

She noted that sexual violence is a crime that is "chronically underreported," and "we're only seeing the tip of the iceberg".

According to the special representative of the UN Secretary General, this is one of the most destructive forms of violence, which during military conflicts is committed mostly against women and girls, but also against men and boys.

Previously, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights had verified and confirmed 23 cases out of 108 reports of sexual violence related to the war in Ukraine as of the end of June. These include, in particular, cases of rape, gang rape, torture, forced undressing in public, threats of sexual violence, etc. Out of this number of verified cases, 9 cases of violence were committed against women, 13 against men and 1 against a girl (threat of sexual violence).