The UN Human Rights Office has documented torture and ill-treatment of Ukrainian and Russian prisoners of war. However, Ukrainians said they were affected throughout their captivity, while Russians were safe once they arrived in detention camps, said Danielle Bell, head of the U.N. human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine. Several hundred prisoners on both sides were questioned.

The Ukrainian prisoners of war experienced “widespread and systematic torture,” both upon capture and in various internment camps and prisons in the occupied territories of Ukraine and Russia.

Also deaths because of conditions

They reported, among other things, mock executions, dog attacks and sexual violence, a lack of medical care and too little food. At least ten Ukrainians have died because of these conditions. Despite constant demand, Russia does not allow access to Ukrainian prisoners of war. The UN staff spoke to them after their release.

The team has unrestricted access to the Russian prisoners of war in Ukraine. They reported beatings and torture during arrest or transport. However, they were treated correctly in the internment camps and the facilities met international standards, she said.

All abuses would be condemned, Bell emphasized. Those responsible must be held accountable. “The difference between the treatment of the Russian and Ukrainian prisoners of war is one of scope and scale,” Bell said.