Kathrine Frich
Another name for the practice is “call to Lenin,” echoing its Soviet roots.
Another name for the practice is “call to Lenin,” echoing its Soviet roots.
Russia’s brutal ‘call to Putin’ torture method revealed
A United Nations report has laid bare shocking torture methods used by Russian forces against Ukrainians.
One of the most disturbing practices, called “call to Putin,” involves electric shocks to the genitals.
The findings expose the scale and organisation of this abuse.
Electric shocks with a Soviet-era phone
Captured Ukrainians are allegedly tortured with electric shocks using an old telephone device.
“Ears, fingers, feet and genitals” are connected to wires before guards administer 80-volt shocks, the report states.
This sadistic method has been reported in several occupied areas.
UN preparing to present findings
The full report will be delivered to the UN Human Rights Council next month.
It sets out evidence of widespread and systematic torture amounting to war crimes.
The data comes from interviews, medical records and testimonies from survivors.
‘The scale is off the charts’
Dr. Alice Jill Edwards, the UN’s torture expert, said:
“The scale is really off the charts about how many people who are detained are subjected to some form of degrading or inhumane treatment.”
She warned the pattern points to crimes against humanity, not isolated acts.
Beyond individual cruelty
Edwards stressed the problem is not just rogue soldiers but a deliberate policy.
“It’s not only on an individual level; this is widespread and systematic, amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity,” she said. .
Other acts of violence
The report documents other abuses including gang sexual violence, beatings, burning nipples and threats of castration.
Survivors describe scenes of intimidation and humiliation intended to break morale.
Such treatment is being used both on civilians and prisoners of war.
Putin held personally responsible
Edwards claims Vladimir Putin and senior officials bear responsibility for these practices.
She said torture is “part of Russian war tactics and policy” and called for explicit orders to end the abuse.
“Those directives do not exist,” she added.
Sexual violence and mock executions
The dossier covers ten selected cases of extreme abuse.
Victims include six men and four women from three Ukrainian regions.
One 50‑year‑old man from Kherson described being kicked in the kidneys, losing teeth in beatings, and facing a mock execution.
‘Call to Lenin’ among methods
Another name for the practice is “call to Lenin,” echoing its Soviet roots.
Survivors say the electric shocks leave deep scars and lasting trauma.
The UN notes in their report that the psychological harm is at least as severe as the physical injuries.
Children threatened and blackmail used
Some victims reported Russian forces threatening to sexually abuse children to extract confessions.
Edwards said such videos and false confessions are later used for blackmail or to control populations.
The tactic instils fear and discourages resistance in occupied areas.
A state-level policy of fear
Edwards stated: “It is the level of the state; it’s Putin himself and Lavrov who have responsibility for these types of policies.”
She emphasised the Russian state “will be held accountable” for actions amounting to war crimes.
This article is made and published by Kathrine Frich, who may have used AI in the preparation
