The United Nations has reported that the Russian government has systematically tortured Ukrainian civilians in over 100 detention centers since the beginning of its invasion. The UN's human rights office detailed instances of mock executions, electric shocks, and prolonged stress positions inflicted on Ukrainian citizens for non-criminal acts, such as criticizing the invasion. Some of these acts have proven fatal.

Danielle Bell, head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission, stated, "It's widespread and systematic torture." She noted that such abuses were documented in every region of occupied territory and in numerous regions within Russia itself. The report is based on interviews with 215 former detainees who provided detailed accounts of their experiences since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

In response to the report, Russia's diplomatic mission in Geneva referred inquiries to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, which did not immediately comment. Russia has previously denied allegations of torture or maltreatment of detainees. Ukraine claims that approximately 15,000 civilians have been detained by Russia since 2022, with at least 1,800 still in custody.

Bell confirmed that her office has verified at least 400 ongoing detentions, suggesting that the actual number may be much higher. She explained that torture often occurred during initial interrogations and continued in daily life, where detainees faced regular beatings and were forced to walk in bent positions. "These weren't random incidents, and it would have been unlikely or impossible for those in charge not to have known that this was taking place," she said during a press briefing in Kyiv.

In some instances, medical personnel in Russian facilities participated in the torture or ignored detainees' pleas for help regarding symptoms caused by their mistreatment. The UN has confirmed at least 36 deaths resulting from torture, poor conditions, or lack of medical care.

While the UN has documented some cases of ill-treatment of Russian detainees by Ukrainian forces, Kyiv has stated it will investigate any violations.

In related developments, Russia continues to make territorial gains in eastern Ukraine. On Tuesday, Russian officials announced they had captured a significant portion of the northeastern city of Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region. Although Kharkiv is not among the five regions Russia claims to have annexed, the recent statement indicates that Russia has not abandoned its ambitions in the area.

The Russian army stated, "Control over Kupiansk will allow for further advances deep into the Kharkiv region, including towards Izium and Chuguiv." However, this claim has not been independently verified. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported last week that Kyiv is still fighting for control of the city, emphasizing that "intense actions are ongoing, and there are appropriate forces there."