UKRAINE: Brutal Abuse at the Hands of Russians

The systematic torture and mistreatment of Ukrainian POWs and civilians by Russian forces is well-documented. Nearly all returned captured combatants report enduring various forms of physical or mental abuse: savage beatings, sexual assault, mock executions, and electrocutions. In blatant violation of the Geneva Convention, Russia refuses to release wounded detainees or provide necessary medical treatment. War prisoners are held in squalid, overcrowded facilities lacking basic essentials like running water, proper sanitation, or heating. Beyond the military, civilians are also ruthlessly targeted, with public spaces frequently coming under attack. How can such brutality be rationalized or excused? 

In this blog post, we delve into the grim reality of these war crimes. Though it's a deeply unsettling topic, understanding the full scale of these atrocities is crucial to grasping why Ukraine's victory is essential—not just for their survival, but for justice and the protection of human dignity. Russia must face defeat on every front to prevent further suffering.

HUMINIZING THE ENEMY

Recently, there has been a growing movement aimed at portraying Russian soldiers in a more "human" light. A documentary film titled Russians at War, which was revealed to have been funded with Canadian public money, seeks to depict ordinary Russian soldiers from this perspective. Understandably, the film has sparked significant outrage, particularly because it was scheduled to be shown at the Toronto Film Festival in the beginning of this month. The documentary’s director, Anastasia Trofimova, a Russian-Canadian, spent seven months on the front lines with Russian troops to gather footage. She claims that the film provides a raw, unfiltered view of the war from the perspective of the Russian soldiers, allowing them to share their hopes, fears, reflections on death, and experiences in battle.

While it is clear that Russian soldiers on the front lines are also suffering, there is no moral justification for Canada, an ally of Ukraine, to support or promote what many see as Russian propaganda.

Another debate that has gained traction revolves around Russian opposition figures like Vladimir Kara-Murza, Yulia Navalnaya, and Ilya Yashin. These figures publicly criticize the war and call for its end, but their key message is that the war is entirely Putin’s project, and Russians themselves are simply ordinary people that oppose this atrocity. They have been touring Europe, meeting with high-ranking officials, including Presidents and Members of Parliament, to spread this narrative.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, countless war crimes committed by Russian soldiers are extensively documented. Ukrainians have faced indiscriminate torture, murder, and rape. Ukrainian children have been abducted, and the elderly are left to suffer without medication or support, often fending for themselves despite severe mobility issues. Women and children, among others, have been subjected to horrific sexual assault—sometimes even in front of their families or neighbors—to maximize the humiliation and pain.

In February 2024, Ukrainian authorities announced ongoing investigations into over 122,000 war crimes. This number continues to grow.

While I am not suggesting that all Russians are capable of committing such atrocities, nor that every Russian soldier is a war criminal, it is important to confront a disturbing reality. War crimes such as rape, humiliation, and torture have long been used as deliberate tactics by the Russian military. These actions are not random acts of individual cruelty. They are often systematic and part of a broader strategy, embedded within the operational approach of the Russian army. 

It is also important to note that this is not a recent phenomenon. The use of such brutal methods can be traced back to the armies of the Russian tsars. Historically, the Russian military has employed these tools of violence and intimidation as a means to exert control, break the will of the enemy, and achieve its objectives. Acknowledging this pattern is essential for understanding the scope and intent behind many of the human rights violations observed in current conflicts involving Russian forces.

CAPTURED AND TORTURED POWS

On 29 February, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) published a report where they interviewed men who had been recently released from Russian imprisonment. These POWs shared similar stories of abuse and horrid conditions. 

The OHCHR report found that the prisoners were shunted between facilities located in the occupied areas of Ukraine and also inside Russia. The facilities they were imprisoned in did not meet international law requirements. The treatment of the war detainees was also not in line with the Geneva Convention. The men's accounts could be corroborated through previously documented stories, as well as by matching their physical injuries and the state of health. 

Out of 60 interviewed men, 58 of them described routine torture by the Russians. The most common being physical assault, electrocution, positional torture (being forced in stressful positions for a lengthy time), mock executions and humiliation. Interrogations often included beatings, shouting and threats of death or cutting of a part of the body. Suffocation by plastic bag on the head was also common. 

POWs who were captured for short periods of time were taken to makeshift interrogation rooms or torture cells in people's abandoned basements or bomb shelters. Those captured for a longer period of time where transferred to more permanent quarters. At these more established prisons, Ukrainian soldiers also experienced horrific abuse. The usual beatings was present, as well as: electrocution with stunt guns, exposure to cold by making prisoners walk barefoot or naked outside in winter, prolonged standing (sometimes up to a full day) which lead to swollen and sore legs, or being forced to be in painful and uncomfortable positions for long periods of time. 

There are also many stories of sexual abuse, or the threat of. Many of the released Ukrainian combatants describe having violence inflicted to their genital area, or being electrocuted in that region. Also threats of rape were quite rampant. Things like being abused with a stick or some other object was also common. Many were forced to be nude for prolonged periods of time, for no good reason. 

In these facilities, guards reportedly made prisoners learn and recite Russian poetry or the national anthem, as well as memorize Russian propaganda. Prisoners were also subjected to humiliation, being made to tell jokes, imitate animal sounds, and perform other degrading acts. Additionally, reports indicated instances of sleep deprivation, long periods without access to a bathroom, and continuous exposure to loud music and noise pollution both day and night.

 

In addition to the horrific treatment, prisoners often suffered from inadequate or nonexistent food supplies, leading many to lose significant weight and develop health problems. Cells were deliberately kept cold, causing frequent illness. Medical care was rarely provided, and requests for treatment often resulted in beatings and torture. Basic toiletries, such as toothpaste or toothbrushes, were also withheld. As a result, many prisoners of war have developed long-term health conditions from their captivity. These include concussions, digestive disorders, musculoskeletal pain, liver issues, vision and hearing impairment, dental diseases, and spinal problems requiring medical attention.

While POWs were permitted to communicate with their families, it was not in accordance with international law. They were only allowed to send letters five to six months after capture. International law mandates that prisoners of war must be allowed to notify their families and a neutral agency of their capture immediately, and have regular contact with them. Additionally, POWs were prohibited from sharing basic information, such as their location or health status, which is another right guaranteed under international law. 

Recently released Ukrainian defenders have described treatment and conditions similar to those reported by the POWs interviewed in this report. A video by Vadym Dzhafarov, a Ukrainian Azovstal defender, has been circulating on X a few weeks ago. He recounts his eight months of imprisonment, starting in Olenivka before being transferred to a facility in Taganrog. Dzhafaov describes how the beatings began the moment he stepped off the truck. In one horrific instance, Russian captors gave him the choice of being struck in the head with a hammer or being violated with a stick multiple times. One of his fellow prisoners suffered severe injuries, with blackened genitals from brutal beatings by the Russians.

TERRORIZED CIVILIANS

Another deeply impacted segment of Ukrainian society is its civilian population. The atrocities in places like Bucha and Izyum stand as dark reminders, where countless civilians were brutally tortured, raped, and killed. Makeshift torture chambers, often equipped with hooks on the ceiling, poor conditions and ventilation, were discovered in these areas. Russian soldiers used these grim spaces to hang and interrogate people, leaving blood-splattered walls and a pervasive stench of suffering.

In recent months, especially following the incursion in Kursk, Russia has escalated its campaign to bomb Ukraine relentlessly. Airstrikes hit nearly every Ukrainian city, killing and injuring civilians daily, including the elderly, women, and children. These attacks target non-military sites such as children's hospitals, hotels, restaurants, and apartment buildings—clear violations of international law. Yet, Russia seems indifferent to these legal and humanitarian standards.

THE POINT OF IT ALL

As mentioned earlier, while it is crucial to emphasize that not all Russians are involved in such actions, we cannot ignore the reality that many within the Russian army are responsible for war crimes. The extensive list of offenses and the overwhelming evidence from various sources across Ukraine reinforce this point. Captured war combatants recount strikingly similar stories, despite never having met each other. Although the UN has interviewed only a limited number of POWs, their accounts align with the testimonies of thousands who have managed to escape Russia’s brutal grip. This consistency in accounts emphasises the systematic nature of the atrocities being committed.

Ukraine is currently focused on establishing an "exchange fund" by capturing Russian soldiers from Kursk and other regions, which will be used in negotiations for the release of Ukrainian prisoners. President Zelenskyy aims to leverage these captives as a key bargaining tool to strengthen Ukraine's position in future peace talks.

What is crucial here is not just the historical context or current developments but the moral implications for the future. The international community must hold the Russian military accountable for these atrocities, not just to seek justice for Ukraine but to send a clear message: such violations of human rights will not go unpunished. Only through consistent global pressure and legal action can we hope to prevent these kinds of crimes from repeating themselves in future conflicts.

The examples above also highlight why Ukraine should be given the green light to strike deep into Russian territory using weapons like Storm Shadow missiles and ATACMS. Such strikes could help reduce or disrupt the relentless bombardment Ukraine is facing. By targeting key military installations or logistics hubs within Russia, Ukraine could alleviate some of the pressure on its own forces. This might provide an opportunity to level the playing field, especially at a time when the Ukrainian frontlines are under increasing strain and risk of collapse.

CONCLUSION 

Daily life is marked not only by relentless shelling but also by the constant fear and anxiety of knowing that loved ones are fighting on the frontlines. This dual burden places an immense emotional toll on families, who are caught between the struggle to survive at home and the uncertainties of war.

It is essential to acknowledge that efforts to humanize those within the Russian military who commit heinous crimes against humanity are unacceptable. While not all Russians are complicit, we must not overlook the deliberate and systematic nature of these atrocities. The focus must be on pursuing justice for the victims and holding the perpetrators accountable. Anything less would be a grave injustice to those suffering and set a dangerous precedent for future conflicts.

Resources

• United Nations: REPORT ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN UKRAINE: 1 December 2023 to 29 February 2024
• Youtube: Story of Vadym Dzhafarov and Twitter thread translated here
• The Guardian: Electric cables, hammers and guns: Ukrainians tell of Russian torture
• DW News: Ukrainian POWs say torture is common in Russian camps 
• PBS Frontline: 10 Torture Sites in 1 Town: Russia Sowed Pain, Fear in Izium
• Reuters: TIFF 2024: More protests planned even as festival cancels 'Russians at War' screenings