Russian forces continue systematic violations of international law regarding Ukrainian prisoners of war, according to a report published by the UN Human Rights Office on Monday.
It states that between mid-November 2025 and January 2026, the Russian forces executed at least 16 captured Ukrainian servicemen. Since February 2022, the UN Human Rights Office has confirmed the execution of 129 Ukrainian prisoners of war and other persons who had ceased participation in hostilities by Russian forces.
Nearly all repatriated Ukrainian prisoners of war interviewed for the report reported torture or ill-treatment during captivity, including severe beatings, electric shocks, denial of adequate medical care, and other forms of abuse. The report also documents sexual violence against Ukrainian prisoners of war, detained civilians, and civilians in occupied territories.
It further reports that in occupied territories there is documented torture and ill-treatment, arbitrary detention, concerns about the right to a fair trial, forced conscription of protected persons, as well as the continued ban of the Ukrainian curriculum and the forced implementation of state-led “military-patriotic education” for children.
The report includes recommendations for the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the international community aimed at strengthening civilian protection, ensuring accountability, supporting victims, and restoring critical infrastructure and essential services.
The report is based on 1,926 interviews with victims and witnesses, 180 field visits, 48 visits to places of detention, 78 hospital visits, monitoring of 33 court hearings, as well as technical analysis, satellite imagery analysis, and open-source data.
