UN Accuses the Russian Federation

The UN states that Russia has "failed to take adequate measures to protect civilians in Ukraine," and there are signs that Russian forces have committed war crimes, said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk. According to Reuters, the Office of the High Commissioner has discovered "gross human rights violations, serious breaches of international humanitarian law, and war crimes, primarily by the Russian Federation." The violations include the execution of 142 civilians since Russia invaded Ukraine last February, as well as kidnappings, torture, and cruel treatment of detainees, including sexual violence, Turk reported to the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

"The Russian Federation has not taken adequate measures to protect civilians and civilian objects from the consequences of its attacks," Turk stated. He emphasized that both countries, especially the Russian armed forces, must respect human rights and humanitarian law. "They should cease the use of heavy explosive weapons in populated areas and create detailed maps of landmine placements," Turk added. In response, Russia's permanent representative to the UN accused the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights of "cleansing" crimes purportedly committed by Ukrainian armed forces.