UN reports over 1,000 cases of conflict-related sexual violence in Ukraine

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, announced on September 18, 2026, that over 1,000 cases of sexual violence have been documented since the start of the conflict in Ukraine. The report, covering the period from February 24, 2022, to the end of July, identifies 1,004 documented incidents. The findings attribute nine out of ten of these acts to the Russian side, while the document also notes instances of violence committed by both parties to the conflict.

The report is based on confidential interviews with hundreds of victims, court documents, and official data. Danielle Bell, head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, emphasized during a briefing in Geneva that this figure represents only a fraction of the actual reality. Investigators noted significant challenges in data collection, having accessed only about 10% of prisoners released from both sides, which limits the current scope of the documentation.

Volker Turk expressed deep concern regarding the frequency and severity of these acts, warning that such violations are likely to continue as long as the intensity of the conflict persists. The report serves as a formal documentation of these atrocities, highlighting the persistent human rights crisis in the region.