UN Adds Russia to Blacklist for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence

June 20, 2026.

    In May 2026, the UN added Russia to its blacklist of parties responsible for conflict-related sexual violence. The UN documented hundreds of cases involving Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war, including sexual torture, rape, electric shocks and abuse in detention.
    The report underlined that sexual violence has been used not as isolated misconduct, but as part of a broader pattern of intimidation, punishment and control. Ukraine, by contrast, has cooperated with UN investigations and legal reform efforts.