Christine Drews Sieger
For the first time, the United Nations has placed Russian forces on its blacklist of actors linked to conflict-related sexual violence, citing documented cases involving Ukrainian prisoners and civilians.
A new UN report places Russian forces among the actors linked to conflict-related sexual violence for the first time.
The decision appears in a new report by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, which reviews documented cases through the end of 2025.
The UN points to a number of cases in which Ukrainian prisoners and civilians were allegedly subjected to sexual violence while under Russian control, Onet reports.
More Cases Documented
The UN says it has verified hundreds of cases of conflict-related sexual violence in Ukrainian territories under Russian occupation.
A large proportion of the recorded victims were Ukrainian men who were being held in Russian custody at the time, according to Onet.
According to the Associated Press, the UN believes the abuses took place both in occupied territories and at facilities within Russia.
Israel Also on the List
According to the UN, cases of sexual violence against Palestinian detainees in Gaza and the West Bank have also been documented, Onet reports.
The report has prompted strong criticism from Israel, whose authorities have warned that the country’s relationship with the UN could be affected.
Both Russia and Israel reject the report’s conclusions. At the same time, the UN notes that the number of verified cases of sexual violence in conflict zones around the world increased significantly in 2025 compared with the previous year.
How the UN’s Blacklist Works
According to the UN, its list of actors involved in conflict-related sexual violence serves as a tool for documenting and monitoring serious abuses committed during armed conflicts.
The organization also uses the information to engage with listed parties and promote action plans aimed at preventing future abuses.
The list is also used to facilitate dialogue with listed actors and develop measures designed to prevent further abuses.
In 2025, the list included a total of 77 state and non-state actors from conflict zones around the world, including government forces, militias, and armed groups, according to the UN report.
Sources: Onet, United Nations (UN)
