**Ukraine Documents 366 Cases of Sexual Violence Linked to Russia’s War**
In a disturbing report, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has documented 366 cases of sexual violence committed in connection with Russia’s full-scale war. The alarming figures were revealed on June 19, the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.
The victims include 231 women, 134 men, and 19 children, highlighting the devastating impact of such crimes on civilians. These heinous acts include rape, sexual torture, forced nudity, and other violent acts, often committed in occupied territories or during the early stages of Russia’s invasion.
**Sexual Violence as a War Crime**
The international community has long recognized that sexual violence in conflict is prohibited under the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols. These agreements mandate the protection of civilians, especially women and children. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has accused Russia of “grossly violating international humanitarian law” and the legal framework established by multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions.
**Russia’s Use of Sexual Violence as a Weapon**
Ukraine’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Sergiy Kyslytsya, has raised concerns about Russia’s employment of sexual violence as a weapon to terrorize civilians, destroy communities, and weaken resistance. This tactic is a clear breach of international law and must be condemned by the global community.
**Investigations and Prosecution**
In June 2024, the Kyiv Independent identified two Russian soldiers implicated in the rape of women during Russia’s occupation of parts of Kyiv and Kherson oblasts in March 2022. One of them, Mykola Senenko, was formally charged by Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office for a rape committed in Kherson Oblast.
**Ukraine’s Response**
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko stated that these cases are “yet another proof of how Russia treats its people with contempt.” President Volodymyr Zelensky also spoke out against the use of sexual violence as a tactic, stating that the victims include warriors from the Armed Forces, National Guard, and State Border Guard Service.
**International Reaction**
The international community has condemned Russia’s actions, with top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas citing a sharp increase in Russia’s military spending. South Africa, a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), is reportedly seeking drone operation training, while Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated that committing to a 5% target would be “unreasonable and counterproductive.”
**Call for Action**
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has urged international pressure on Moscow to push toward peace. As the world marks the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, it is essential that we take collective action to prevent such heinous crimes and hold perpetrators accountable.
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