The UN Receives 'Credible Information' Regarding Torture Of Russian POWs By Ukrainian Troops

Russian military illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/Vitaly V Kuzmin)

JAKARTA - The United Nations has "credible" evidence of the torture of Russian military personnel by Ukrainian forces, said Matilda Bogner, head of the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.

"We have received credible information about torture, ill-treatment and detention without communication by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, against prisoners of war of the Russian Armed Forces and their affiliated armed groups," Bogner said at a press conference on Tuesday, cited from Sputnik News, May 11.

“We continue to see the publication of videos, which show inhumane treatment, including detainees from both sides being forced to make statements, apologies and confessions, and other forms of humiliation. This violates the basic rules of international humanitarian law,” the official added.

Bogner urged Ukraine and Russia to "immediately and effectively investigate" all allegations of torture and abuse of prisoners of war. Both sides were also asked to "effectively control and instruct their forces, to stop further violations taking place".

At the same time, Bogner also provided an update on the plight of civilians in conflict zones, saying that his agency could corroborate a total of 7.061 civilian casualties, including 3.381 deaths and 3.680 injuries, since February 24, adding that the actual number was likely higher.

"The high number of civilian casualties, the level of destruction and damage to civilian objects strongly indicates a violation of the principles governing hostile behavior, namely discrimination, including the prohibition of indiscriminate attacks, proportionality, and precautionary measures," she explained.

The official also cited allegations of rape and threats of sexual violence in conflict areas, to the disappearance and forced detention of civilians by Russian and Ukrainian forces.

Russian officials and the military have accused the US and Europe of turning a blind eye to alleged war crimes committed in Ukraine, not only since the Russian-led operation in Ukraine began in February, but since Kyv began punishing "anti-terrorist operations" in the Donbass in the spring of 2014.

This includes the alleged abduction, detention, torture and execution of hundreds of civilians and militia fighters in the Donbass to the filming of the torture and murder of detained Russian prisoners of war.

In contrast, Kyiv has accused Moscow of committing war crimes against civilians, including the cold-blooded murder of more than 300 civilians in the Kyv suburb of Bucha in early April.

Investigations into these allegations by Russia and independent Western media have cast doubt on this claim, citing a timeline for the withdrawal of Russian troops from the area.