Russia uses sexual violence as military policy tool, Ukrainian official says
Read NV on Google
The systematic use of sexual
violence by Russian troops in Ukraine is a conscious Kremlin policy, aiming
to intimidate, demoralize, and degrade the dignity of the civilian population,
Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said in a Telegram post on May
22.
In her message, Maliar emphasized that the scale and severity of such crimes pose a huge challenge for Ukrainian society.
“Sexual violence remains a 'hidden crime' that leaves deep trauma, which destroys the lives of people, families, and entire communities,” Maliar writes.
“This is not just violence on a sexual basis, it is a conscious policy of the enemy state aimed at intimidation, demoralization, and degradation of the dignity of our civilian population.”
As of the end of 2022, Ukrainian law enforcement officials have recorded 155 cases of sexual violence associated with Russia's war against Ukraine, with the highest number of cases in Kherson and Kyiv Oblasts.
The military war may be swinging in our favor, but the information war continues.
Just as an army needs soldiers, so does a free society need its journalists to ensure that people have access to honest, trustworthy voices to understand the world around them.
For the past five years, The New Voice of Ukraine has been working tirelessly to push back against Russian narratives and defend democracy. But we cannot do it alone.
Please consider supporting us on Patreon for just $5 a month – your donation does directly to supporting journalists and ensuring that this front of the infowar says solid and defended.
Thank you.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
