Statement by the delegation of Ukraine at the Open Debate of the UN Security Council on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence “Identifying innovative strategies to ensure access to life-saving services and protection to survivors of sexual violence in conflict zones”

19 August 2025

President,

We thank the Presidency of Panama for convening this important debate. We are also grateful to SRSG Pramila Patten and Ms. Ikhlass Ahmed for their powerful and sobering briefings.

Conflict-related sexual violence is one of the most devastating crimes of war — leaving deep scars on survivors, families and entire communities. The Secretary-General’s report highlights a deeply troubling trend: a 25% increase from 2023, with the highest number of cases recorded in the Central African Republic, the DRC, Haiti, Somalia and South Sudan. While women and girls constitute most victims, men and boys are also affected.

The report also confirms what Ukraine knows too well: Russia deliberately uses CRSV as a weapon of war and a tool of torture against civilians and prisoners of war. To date, Ukrainian prosecutors have documented 372 cases — including 136 men, 236 women and 20 children. These figures capture only part of the real scale, as countless cases remain hidden by fear, stigma and the inaccessibility of occupied territories. The crimes include rape, genital violence, forced nudity, threats and forcing victims to witness the abuse of loved ones.

Behind every statistic is a human life. Let me share just one story — that of 43-year-old Nataliya Vlasova, abducted in 2019 from occupied Donetsk and held for months in the notorious “Izolyatsia” prison. She endured horrific torture and sexual abuse. At one point, she begged to be shot dead, but her torturers replied that no — she had to suffer. She testified before a sham Russian court, and I quote: “I can only call them maniacs, because to take pleasure in inflicting pain on a naked, bound woman and committing all kinds of perversions — ordinary human beings are not capable of such things.” The court disregarded her testimonies, and in December 2024 she was sentenced to 18 years in prison. Her daughter was only four years old when she last saw her mother. Every day she hopes her mom will finally come back home to her.

We demand the immediate release of Nataliya, of Iryna Danylovych, of 70-year-old Halyna Dovhopola and all Ukrainian civilians — women and men — who remain held in Russia’s torture chambers. We further call on Russia to guarantee humane treatment for all prisoners of war and to ensure their prompt exchange.

Given the scale and systematic nature of CRSV in Russia’s war of aggression, Ukraine continues to call for the listing of the Russian Armed Forces and the FSB as persistent perpetrators of CRSV. This is a vital tool to prevent further crimes and protect Ukrainians on occupied territories and in places of detention.

President,

Ukraine remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring accountability for these heinous crimes and to providing all necessary assistance to survivors. We value the steadfast support of the international community, which strengthens our determination, and we commend SRSG Patten and the UN Team of experts for their substantial assistance to the Government of Ukraine in advancing these goals.

Ukraine is taking decisive actions. Through our Framework of Cooperation with the United Nations, we have established a nationwide coordination mechanism that brings together state institutions, civil society and international partners. Building on this foundation, we are now updating our Implementation Plan to make it more survivor-centered, locally driven and results-oriented. For the first time, this Plan also addresses the needs of children born of CRSV, ensuring their rights, tailored support and protection from stigma.

We are also rolling out an interim reparations’ mechanism. To date, reparations have been approved for 733 individuals (466 men, 253 women, and 14 children — 2 boys and 12 girls). At the same time, we are advancing a comprehensive, long-term reparations policy aligned with international standards.

Ukraine’s expertise in addressing conflict-related sexual violence — tragically gained as a result of Russia’s aggression — places on us a responsibility to act. Through Ukraine’s chairship of the International Alliance on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict in 2025, we seek to transform this painful knowledge into leadership, working alongside the Alliance’s 32 members to advance survivor-centered approaches, global cooperation and solidarity.

Our message is clear: sexual violence in any conflict will never be tolerated. Survivors need justice and support now, not years from now. Perpetrators must be held to account.

Today, we call on the Security Council and all Member States to unite in pressing Russia for an immediate ceasefire, release of all prisoners and an end to its unprovoked war of aggression, its war crimes and crimes against humanity. Every day without action means more suffering, more shattered lives. The time to act is now.

I thank you.