Former Ukrainian detainees and officials presented detailed accusations that Russia systematically tortured prisoners of war and civilian detainees, including beatings, electric shocks, sexual abuse, and incommunicado detention, with thousands still held captive [1, 2, 3, 4]. Ukrainian active serviceman Khuan Alberto Levya Garsiya said he endured torture during 1,183 days in Russian captivity, describing daily beatings, electrocution, sexual abuse, and forced exercises in freezing conditions. "Anything that comes to your mind, not only verbal, physical abuse, daily beatings, electrocution… sexual abuse," he said, adding the treatments aimed to break prisoners mentally [1]. Prison conditions were described as overcrowded and unsanitary, causing many detainees to suffer dysentery and starvation [1, 3, 4].

Ukrainian officials identified more than 300 detention sites in Russia and occupied territories. Over 9,000 Ukrainians have been returned through prisoner exchanges, but thousands remain held [1, 3, 4]. Crimean Tatar activist Leniie Umerova recounted being transferred through seven detention facilities, describing a "carousel of repression" and torture before her release in 2024 [1].

At an informal U.N. Security Council meeting on August 10, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Claudia Fuentes Julio, stated, "The Russian Federation continues widespread and systematic torture and abuse of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians, including sexual violence." She said over 95% of interviewed prisoners reported torture or abuse, with more than half reporting sexual violence such as rape, naked beatings, and genital violence [3, 4].

Russia denied all allegations, calling them "a disinformation campaign." The Russian Deputy U.N. Representative, Maria Zabolotskaya, argued that Russian prisoners in Ukraine also suffered torture and abuse, though UN records show such cases occur on a fundamentally smaller scale [1, 2, 3, 4].

The contrasting claims reflect ongoing disputes over prisoner treatment in the conflict. Ukrainian accusations and firsthand testimonies from former detainees remain central to the discussion. The next scheduled international review of prisoner exchanges and treatment reports is expected later this year.