High-profile cases frequently echoed in media outlets and even sparked demonstrations against the Kremlin in places like Cannes and San Francisco. Throughout the weeks of occupation, many Ukrainian women reported assaults and rapes committed by Russian troops as they controlled towns and cities and then retreated. The United Nations has received more than a hundred complaints, while non-governmental organizations such as Human Rights Watch have documented specific instances. The ongoing question is whether sexual violence has been used as a deliberate weapon of war by invading forces—whether it reflects a policy endorsed by military leadership or stems from individual actions for which responsibility must be determined. Ukrainian NGOs have claimed they tracked numerous cases, suggesting that what has been reported may only be the tip of the iceberg. There is still limited information on the full scope, and many victims need time to acknowledge what happened and to come forward with reports.
“Evidence on whether rape was employed as a weapon of war is mixed. In one incident in Bucha, two soldiers were reportedly involved in a brutal act, with the commander aware of it and allegedly participating. In another case, in Kherson, a supervising official interrupted the act and threatened the perpetrator,” stated a researcher from Human Rights Watch. The researcher also noted that documenting a small number of cases does not disprove the possibility that sexual violence was used in the conflict. It can take months for survivors to recognize and report such crimes. The organization asked for more time to explain a possible pattern of action and cautioned that recording four cases does not mean rape was not employed as a weapon of war.
The United Nations has reported 124 cases, according to Pramilla Patten, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict. Of these, 2412 cases were attributed to Russian forces or pro-Russian militias, five to Ukrainian forces, and seven to combatants in territories under Kyiv’s control. In total, four dozen cases could not be verified, with 48 awaiting review. The scale and details remain under investigation as the situation evolves.
women and men affected
La Strada, a Ukrainian NGO focusing on gender equality, has recorded 17 alleged violations attributed to Russian soldiers. Two additional cases in Ukrainian-controlled territory involved Ukrainian citizens and were noted as severe. One of the first complaints reached the organization on March 4, when a woman in occupied areas contacted them by phone, recounting a harrowing experience after a lengthy conversation. A Kyiv-based activist described an instance in which a 19-year-old man from Mariupol, who managed to evacuate to government-controlled territory, faced extreme abuse that included coercive control and claims of sex being used as a weapon against him. The activist emphasized the importance of recognizing that some victims were subjected to repeated abuse and that some faced attempts to erase their sense of guilt for surviving daily danger. The overarching message is that the priority for many survivors is to stay alive, often at a great personal cost.
Krivulak notes a prevailing sense of helplessness and insecurity among those who endured sexual violence during the war in Ukraine. Many survivors remain reluctant to speak out. People living in areas where Russian forces withdrew fear renewed violence, and some worry about a reoccurrence of the nightmare if the conflict resumes. The long-term impact on mental health, trust in institutions, and the social fabric has been profound for affected communities, underscoring the need for sustained support and thorough investigations.
As researchers continue to assess the full extent of sexual violence in the Ukraine conflict, a practical challenge emerges for those seeking care across borders. In Poland, one of the main destinations for Ukrainian refugees, access to abortion services can be limited. Polish feminist groups and support organizations have launched information campaigns to raise awareness about available options for refugee women. The Ukrainian state has also established a hotline to assist victims of alleged war crimes and reports of sexual violence, aiming to connect survivors with appropriate resources and protection.