Russia added for first time to UN ‘blacklist’ over wartime sexual violence in Ukraine
The United Nations has added Russia for the first time to its annual “blacklist” of parties responsible for conflict-related sexual violence, citing verified cases involving Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians, according to Ukraine’s Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets and The Washington Post.
The list is published in the U.N.’s annual report on sexual violence during war. This year, both Russia and Israel were added for the first time. Last year, the U.N. warned both countries that they could be included.
According to the report, Russian authorities have consistently denied human rights investigators the access needed to conduct investigations. Despite that, the organization said it verified 310 cases of sexual violence against Ukrainian prisoners held in Russia and in occupied territories of Ukraine. The overwhelming majority of the victims were men.
“This is not about isolated cases, but about a deliberate practice of torture, humiliation and psychological terror against Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians,” Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets said.
At the same time, Lubinets said that while Russia’s formal addition to the U.N. blacklist is important, it is not enough without further decisive action by the international community.
He called for immediate and unhindered access for the International Committee of the Red Cross and U.N. missions to all detention sites holding Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians, stronger pressure on Russia and accountability for all those responsible.
As for Israel, the U.N. documented 13 cases of sexual violence against Palestinians in 2025 and another 18 cases in 2023-24.
Both Israel and Russia denied the allegations. Russia’s U.N. ambassador, Vasily Nebenzya, complained that Russia was “once again being portrayed as the villain” and said Moscow was preparing a letter to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres.