In one briefing to the UN Council for Human Rights On Tuesday, UN rights chief Volker Türk highlighted the widespread destruction and violations of international law that have defined the conflict.
He noted that July 2024 was the deadliest month for civilians since October 2022, with a sharp increase in casualties due to large-scale Russian attacks across Ukraine.
Between June and August, civilian casualties rose 45 percent compared to the previous three months, caused by missile, drone and air strikes, as well as continued ground operations aimed at capturing more Ukrainian territory.
“At the same time, insidious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law continue in detention centers hidden from the view of independent observers,” Mr Türk said.
Mr Türk expressed serious concerns about the mistreatment of prisoners of war, especially Ukrainian soldiers.
Widespread torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war
He reported “widespread and systematic” torture of Ukrainian POWs by Russian forces, based on documented accounts of 174 Ukrainian POWs, almost all of whom described consistent experiences of torture in captivity.
“Instances of torture take place on a daily or weekly basis. Minimum safeguards have been put in place designed to help prevent torture – such as allowing prisoners to communicate with the outside world, access by independent monitors or routine medical examinations. absent or ineffective” he said.
“The evidence collected also suggests the involvement of facility supervisors significant coordination between different entities of the Russian Federation – such as the Federal Security Service and the Federal Penitentiary Service.”
He further expressed concern over the dehumanizing rhetoric of Russian public figures calling for inhumane treatment and even execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war, warning that broad amnesty laws for Russian military personnel encourage impunity.
Violations against Russian prisoners of war
Mr. Türk further reported that some Russian POWs held by Ukrainian authorities also reported cases of torture and sexual violence, mainly during the initial stages of their captivity.
“In almost all cases, torture and ill-treatment stopped when prisoners arrived at official internment sites, where conditions generally met international standards,” he said.
He called on Ukraine to ensure that prisoners of war are treated in accordance with international law “at all stages of their captivity”.
‘Cruel’ attacks on civilians
Mr Türk also highlighted ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure, with at least four major waves of attacks in the past three months. These strikes, which increasingly target power generation facilities, have caused widespread power outages and raised concerns about the coming frigid winter.
“This is a cruel way to harm civilians,” he said, stressing that electricity is vital for hospitals, heating, water purification and everyday life in a highly urbanized country like Ukraine.
“Electricity is nothing less than a lifeline.”
In addition, he drew attention to the environmental damage caused by the conflict and the risks of fighting near nuclear power plants.
He concluded by calling on Russia to meet its international obligations, grant access to independent observers and end its military attack on Ukraine.
Access to the ground is essential for establishing facts and ensuring accountability, he stressed.