– War of sexual violence in occupied areas of Ukraine
– Men as victims in Russia’s war of sexual violence.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
By Ivana Kottasová and Olga Voitovych, CNN
Kyiv (CNN) — Recent reports have shed light on the horrifying experiences faced by Ukrainian men at the hands of Russian security forces. One such survivor, Roman Shapovalenko, recounted the harrowing ordeal he endured after being arrested in the occupied city of Kherson. Shapovalenko described being threatened with rape and subjected to electrocution and other forms of sexual violence.
Shapovalenko’s experience is just one of many similar cases documented by human rights monitors in Ukraine. The use of sexual violence as a tool of intimidation and coercion by Russian forces has been widely reported, with male victims making up a growing proportion of the documented cases.
Systematic Use of Sexual Violence
According to Ukrainian prosecutors and rights groups, the use of sexual violence by Russian forces in occupied territories is part of a systematic strategy aimed at subjugating the Ukrainian population. The accounts of survivors reveal a pattern of forced nudity, genital electrocution, and threats of rape.
Anna Sosonska, a Ukrainian prosecutor, highlighted the prevalence of genital electrocution as a common method of torture used by Russian forces. She emphasized that the crimes committed against male victims are part of a deliberate and calculated campaign by Russia.
Individual Perpetrators identified
Despite the challenges of tracking down individual perpetrators, Ukrainian authorities have made progress in identifying and indicting those responsible for sexual violence crimes. Officials have issued notices of suspicion against several Russian officers, including Rosgvardia and FSB officials, who are accused of torture and sexual abuse.
Prosecutors in Kherson have brought charges against Aleksandr Naumenko, a deputy head of Rosgvardia, and other officers for their alleged involvement in sexual torture. The cases are currently being heard in court, although the whereabouts of the accused individuals remain unknown.
Long Road to Justice
Ukraine is committed to pursuing justice for the victims of sexual violence while also raising awareness of the issue. Specialized training programs for prosecutors and civil servants have been implemented to improve victim support and aid in investigations.
While the road to justice may be long and arduous, Ukraine remains steadfast in its efforts to hold perpetrators accountable and provide support for survivors. The testimonies of survivors like Roman Shapovalenko and Oleksii Sivak serve as a reminder of the ongoing atrocities being committed in the occupied territories.
It is crucial for the international community to acknowledge and address the systematic use of sexual violence as a weapon of war by Russian forces in Ukraine.
CNN’s Svitlana Vlasova and Victoria Butenko contributed reporting.
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